LE MORTE DARTHUR
MALORY K
CAXTO!
IL!
FOU«'
University of California • Berkeley
From the Collection of
EDWARD HELLMAN HELLER
and
ELINOR RAAS HELLER
IV
Volume IV: -Of this Edition of
LE MORTE DARTHUR have been
printed on handmade Riccardi Paper
500 copies; upon Vellum 12 copies -10
for sale. Paper Copy No. t KV
•'
LE MORTE DARTHUR BY
SIR THOMAS MALORY KNT.
IN IV VOLUMES. VOLUME IV
LEMORTEDARTHUR
THE BOOK OF KING ARTHUR
AND OF HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS
OF THE ROUND TABLE. BY
SIR THOMAS MALORY, KNT
lauQcelot
LONDON, PHILJP LEE EARNER
PUBLISHER TO THE "MEDICI
SOCIETY EP MDCCCO0Q.
Of the engraved Title-page the lettering
is by Miss M. Engall ; the figures are by
Mr. W. Russell Flint.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV
BOOK XIV
Chapter Page
I. How Sir Percivale came to a recluse and asked her counsel, and
how she told him that she was his aunt i
I 1. How Merlin likened the Round Table to the world, and howthe
knights that should achieve the Sangreal should be known . 2
III. How Sir Percivale came into a monastery, where he found King
Evelake, which was an old man 3
IV. How Sir Percivale saw many men of arms bearing a dead knight,
and how he fought against them 4
V. How a yeoman desired him to get again an horse, and how Sir
Percivale's hackney was slain, and how he gat an horse . . 6
VI. Of the great danger that Sir Percivale was in by his horse, and
how he saw a serpent and a lion fight 7
VI I. Of the advision that Sir Percivale saw, and how his advision
was expounded, and of his lion 8
II 1 1. How Sir Percivale saw a ship coming to him- ward, and how
the lady of the ship told him of her disheritance 10
IX. How Sir Percivale promised her help, and how he required her
of love, and how he was saved from the fiend n
X. How Sir Percivale for penance rove himself through the thigh ;
and how she was known for the devil 12
BOOK XV
I. How Sir Launcelot came into a chapel, where he found dead, in
a white shirt, a man of religion, of an hundred winter old . . 14
II. Of a dead man, how men would have hewn him, and it would
not be, and how Sir Launcelot took the hair of the dead man . 15
III. Of an advision that Sir Launcelot had, and how he told it to an
hermit, and desired counsel of him 16
vii
viii LE MORTE DARTHUR
Chapter Page
IV. How the hermit expounded to Sir Launcelot his advision, and
told him that Sir Galahad was his son 17
V. How Sir Launcelot jousted with many knights, and how he was
taken 18
VI. How Sir Launcelot told his advision to a woman, and how she
expounded it to him 20
BOOK XVI
I. How Sir Gawaine was nigh weary of the quest of the Sangreal,
and of his marvellous dream 22
II. Of the advision of Sir Ector, and how he jousted with Sir Uwaine
les Avoutres, his sworn brother 23
III. How Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector came to an hermitage to be
confessed, and how they told to the hermit their ad visions . . 25
IV. How the hermit expounded their advision 26
V. Of the good counsel that the hermit gave to them ... 27
VI. How Sir Bors met with an hermit, and how he was confessed to
him, and of his penance enjoined to him 28
VI I. How Sir Bors was lodged with a lady, and how he took upon
him for to fight against a champion for her land 29
VI II. Of a vision which Sir Bors had that night, and how he fought
and overcame his adversary 30
IX. How the lady was restored to her lands by the battle of Sir
Bors, and of his departing, and how he met Sir Lionel taken and
beaten with thorns, and also of a maid which should have been
devoured 32
X. How Sir Bors left to rescue his brother, and rescued the damosel ;
and how it was told him that Lionel was dead 33
XI. How Sir Bors told his dream to a priest, which he had dreamed,
and of the counsel that the priest gave to him 34
XII. How the devil in a woman's likeness would have had Sir Bors
to have lain by her, and how by God's grace he escaped . . 36
II 1 1. Of the holy communication of an abbot to Sir Bors, and how
the abbot counselled him 37
XIV. How Sir Bors met with his brother Sir Lionel, and how Sir
Lionel would have slain Sir Bors . 38
CONTENTS ix
Chapter Page
XV. How Sir Colgrevance fought against Sir Lionel for to save Sir
Bors, and how the hermit was slain 40
XVI. How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he
would have slain Sir Bors 41
XVI I. How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch
him not, and of a cloud that came between them 42
BOOK XVII
I. How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was known
of Sir GawaineandofSir Ector de Maris 44
II. How Sir Galahad rode with a damosel, and came to the ship
whereas Sir Bors and Sir Percivale were in 45
III. How Sir Galahad entered into the ship, and of a fair bed
therein, with other marvellous things, and of a sword ... 47
IV. Of the marvels of the sword and of the scabbard ... 48
V. How King Pelles was smitten through both thighs because he
drew the sword, and other marvellous histories 50
VI. How Solomon took David's sword by the counsel of his wife,
and of other matters marvellous 51
VI I. A wonderful tale of King Solomon and his wife ... 53
II 1 1. How Galahad and his fellows came to a castle, and how they
were fought withal, and how they slew their adversaries, and other
matters 54
IX. How the three knights, with Percivale's sister, came into the
waste forest, and of an hart and four lions, and other things . 56
X. How they were desired of a strange custom, the which they
would not obey ; wherefore they fought and slew many knights 57
XI. How Sir Percivale's sister bled a dish full of blood for to heal
a lady, wherefore she died ; and how that the body was put in a
ship 59
XI I. How Galahad and Percivale found in a castle many tombs of
maidens that had bled to death . . . . 60
II 1 1. How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship where Sir Perci-
vale's sister lay dead, and how he met with Sir Galahad, his son 6i
XIV. How a knight brought to Sir Galahad an horse, and bade him
come from his father, Sir Launcelot 62
iv a i
x LE MORTE DARTHUR
Chapter Page
XV. How Sir Launcelot was to-fore the door of the chamber
wherein the Holy Sangreal was 64
XVI. How Sir Launcelot had lain four-and-twenty days and as
many nights as a dead man, and other divers matters ... 65
XVII. How Sir Launcelot returned towards Logris, and of other
adventures which he saw in the way 67
IVI 1 1. How Galahad came to King Mordrains, and of other matters
and adventures 68
XIX. How Sir Percivale and Sir Bors met with Sir Galahad, and
how they came to the castle of Carbonek, and other matters . 69
XX. How Galahad and his fellows were fed of the Holy Sangreal,
and how Our Lord appeared to them, and other things ... 71
XXI . How Galahad anointed with the blood of the spear the Maimed
King, and of other adventures 72
XXI I. How they were fed with the Sangreal while they were in
prison, and how Galahad was made king 74
XXI II. Of the sorrow that Percivale and Bors made when Galahad
was dead : and of Percivale how he died, and other matters . 75
BOOK XVIII
I. Of the joy King Arthur and the queen had of the achieve-
ment of the Sangreal; and how Launcelot fell to his old love
again . 77
I 1. How the queen commanded Sir Launcelot to avoid the court,
and of the sorrow that Launcelot made 78
III. How at a dinner that the queen made there was a knight
enpoisoned, which Sir Mador laid on the queen 79
IV. How Sir Mador appeached the queen of treason, and there was
no knight would fight for her at the first time 81
V. How the queen required Sir Bors to fight for her, and how
he granted upon condition; and how he warned Sir Launcelot
thereof 82
VI. How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the
queen ; and when he would fight how another discharged him 84
VI I. How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir Mador for the queen,
and how he overcame Sir Mador, and discharged the queen . 86
CONTENTS xi
Chapter Page
II 1 1. How the truth was known by the Maiden of the Lake, and of
divers other matters 88
IX. How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and received a sleeve to
wear upon his helm at the request of a maid 89
X. How the tourney began at Winchester, and what knights were
at the jousts; and other things 91
XI. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field against
them of King Arthur's court, and how Launcelot was hurt . . 92
XI I. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out of the field,
and in what jeopardy Launcelot was 94
II 1 1. How Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed of
his wound, and of other matters 96
XIV. How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the lord of Astolat, and
there had knowledge that it was Sir Launcelot that bare the red
sleeve 98
XV. Of the sorrow that Sir Bors had for the hurt of Launcelot; and of
the anger that the queen had because Launcelot bare the sleeve 100
XVI. How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found him in the hermit-
age, and of the lamentation between them 101
XVII. How Sir Launcelot armed him to assay if he might bear
arms, and how his wounds brast out again 103
XVIII. How Sir Bors returned and told tidings of Sir Launcelot;
and of the tourney, and to whom the prize was given . . . 105
XIX. Of the great lamentation of the Fair Maid of Astolat when
Launcelot should depart, and how she died for his love. . . 106
XX. How the corpse of the Maid of Astolat arrived to-fore King
Arthur, and of the burying, and how Sir Launcelot offered the
mass-penny 109
XXI. Of great jousts done all a Christmas, and of a great jousts and
tourney ordained by King Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot . . in
XXI I. How Launcelot after that he was hurt of a gentlewoman
came to an hermit, and of other matters 112
IXI 1 1. How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the jousts, and other
men also 113
XXIV. How King Arthur marvelled much of the jousting in the
field, and how he rode and found Sir Launcelot 1 16
XXV. How true love is likened to summer . . . us
xii LE MORTE DARTHUR
BOOK XIX
Chapter Page
I. How Queen Guenever rode a-Maying with certain knights of
the Round Table and clad all in green 120
I 1. How Sir Meliagrance took the queen and all her knights, which
were sore hurt in fighting 121
III. How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and
how Sir Meliagrance laid a bushment for Launcelot ... 122
IV. How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain, and how Sir Launcelot
rode in a cart for to rescue the queen 124
V. How Sir Meliagrance required forgiveness of the queen, and
how she appeased Sir Launcelot ; and other matters ... 126
VI. How Sir Launcelot came in the night to the queen and lay with
her, and how Sir Meliagrance appeached the queen of treason 128
VI I. How Sir Launcelot answered for the queen, and waged battle
against Sir Meliagrance ; and how Sir Launcelot was taken in
a trap 129
VIII. How Sir Launcelot was delivered out of prison by a lady, and
took a white courser and came for to keep his day .... 131
IX. How Sir Launcelot came the same time that Sir Meliagrance
abode him in the field and dressed him to battle 132
X. How Sir Urre came into Arthur's court for to be healed of his
wounds, and how King Arthur would begin to handle him . . 134
XI. How King Arthur handled Sir Urre, and after him many other
knights of the Round Table 136
XII. How Sir Launcelot was commanded by Arthur to handle his
wounds, and anon he was all whole, and how they thanked God 139
II 1 1. How there was a party made of an hundred knights against
an hundred knights, and of other matters 141
BOOK XX
I. How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred were busy upon Sir Gawaine
for to disclose the love between Sir Launcelot and Queen Guen-
ever 142
I 1. How Sir Agravaine disclosed their love to King Arthur, and
how King Arthur gave them licence to take him 143
CONTENTS xiii
Chapter Page
I 1 1. How Sir Launcelot was espied in the queen's chamber, and
how Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came with twelve knights to
slay him 145
IV. How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in his
harness, and after slew Sir Agravaine, and twelve of his fellows 146
V. How Sir Launcelot came to Sir Bors, and told him how he had
sped, and in what adventure he had been, and how he escaped 148
VI. Of the counsel and advice that was taken by Sir Launcelot and
his friends for to save the queen 150
VI I. How Sir Mordred rode hastily to the king, to tell him of the
affray and death of Sir Agravaine and the other knights . . 151
II 1 1. How Sir Launcelot and his kinsmen rescued the queen from
the fire, and how he slew many knights 153
IX. Of the sorrow and lamentation of King Arthur for the death of
his nephews and other good knights, and also for the queen, his
wife 155
X. How King Arthur at the request of Sir Gawaine concluded to
make war against Sir Launcelot, and laid siege to his castle called
Joyous Card 156
XI. Of the communication between King Arthur and Sir Launcelot,
and how King Arthur reproved him 158
XI I. How the cousins and kinsmen of Sir Launcelot excited him to
go out to battle, and how they made them ready 160
XIII. How Sir Gawaine jousted and smote down Sir Lionel, and
how Sir Launcelot horsed King Arthur 161
XIV. How the Pope sent down his bulls to make peace, and how
Sir Launcelot brought the queen to King Arthur 163
XV. Of the deliverance of the queen to the king by Sir Launcelot,
and what language Sir Gawaine had to Sir Launcelot ... 165
XVI. Of the communication between Sir Gawaine and Sir Launce-
lot, with much other language 167
XVII. How Sir Launcelot departed from the king and from Joyous
Card over seaward, and what knights went with him . . . 168
IVI 1 1. How Sir Launcelot passed over the sea, and how he made
great lords of the knights that went with him 170
XIX. How King Arthur and Sir Gawaine made a great host ready
to go over sea to make war on Sir Launcelot 172
xiv LE MORTE DARTHUR
Chapter Page
XX. What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir Launcelot ; and how
King Arthur laid siege to Benwick, and other matters ... 174
XXI. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and
how Sir Gawaine was overthrown and hurt 176
XXI I. Of the sorrow that King Arthur made for the war, and of
another battle where also Sir Gawaine had the worse ... 177
BOOK XXI
I. How Sir Mordred presumed and took on him to be King of Eng-
land, and would have married the queen, his father's wife . . 180
I 1. How after that King Arthur had tidings, he returned and came to
Dover, where Sir Mordred met him to let his landing; and of the
death of Sir Gawaine 182
III. How after, Sir Gawaine's ghost appeared to King Arthur, and
warned him that he should not fight that day 184
IV. How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where
Mordred was slain, and Arthur hurt to the death 186
V. How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into
the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge . . 188
VI. How Sir Bedivere found him on the morn dead in an hermitage,
and how he abode there with the hermit 190
VI I. Of the opinion of some men of the death of King Arthur ; and
how Queen Guenever made her a nun in Almesbury ... 191
VIII. How when Sir Launcelot heard of the death of King Arthur,
and of Sir Gawaine, and other matters, he came into England . 192
IX. How Sir Launcelot departed to seek the Queen Guenever, and
how he found her at Almesbury 193
X. How Sir Launcelot came to the hermitage where the Archbishop
of Canterbury was, and how he took the habit on him ... 195
XI. How Sir Launcelot went with his seven fellows to Almesbury,
and found there Queen Guenever dead, whom they brought to
Glastonbury 196
XI I. How Sir Launcelot began to sicken, and after died, whose
body was borne to Joyous Card for to be buried 198
XI 1 1. How Sir Ector found Sir Launcelot his brother dead, and how
Constantine reigned next after Arthur; and of the end of this
book 199
Glossary 202
ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME IV
"'Ah, Sir Bors, gentle knight have mercy on us all.' '
Book XVI, Chapter 12 - Page 36 Frontispiece
" When the mass was done the priest took Our Lord's body
and bare it to the sick king " . . . Book XIV, Chapter 3 Page 4
"And so she went with the wind roaring and yelling, that it
seemed all the water brent after her."
Book XIV, Chapter 10 „ 12
' ' It mishapped he loved a gentlewoman a great deal elder
than I"* Book XVI, Chapter 7 „ 30
"As soon as I wist that this adventure was ordained me I
clipped off my hair, and made this girdle in the name of
God*" Book XVI I, Chapter? „ 52
"Sir,5 said a knight, 'what maid passeth hereby shall give
this dish full of blood of her right arm.' "
Book XVI I, Chapter 10 „ 58
"My knights, and my servants, and my true children, which
be come out of deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no
longer hide me from you " . . Book XVI I, Chapter 20 ,, 70
" She was a great huntress, and daily she used to hunt, and
ever she bare her bow with her."
Book XVI 1 1, Chapter 21 „ 1 12
" So as the queen had Mayed and all her knights, all were
bedashed with herbs, mosses and flowers, in the best
manner and freshest" . . . . Book XIX, Chapter 2 „ 120
xv
xvi ILLUSTRATIONS
"How Sir Launcelot and his kinsmen rescued the queen
from the fire" Book XX, Chapter 8 Page 152
"And then that queen said: 'Ah, dear brother, why have
ye tarried so long from me ? " . . Book XXI, Chapter 5 188
"Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not
greatly, but sighed " .... Book XXI, Chapter n 196
HERE BEGINS THE FOURTH VOLUME OF THE NOBLE
AND JOYOUS BOOK ENTITLED LE MORTE DARTHUR,
WHICH BOOK WAS REDUCED INTO ENGLISH BY SIR
THOMAS MALORY, KNIGHT
BOOK XIV
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR PERCIVALE CAME TO A RECLUSE
AND ASKED COUNSEL, AND HOW SHE TOLD HIM THAT
SHE WAS HIS AUNT
"OW saith the tale, that when Sir Launcelot was ridden
after Sir Galahad, the which had all these adventures above
said, Sir Percivale turned again unto the recluse, where he
deemed to have tidings of that knight that Launcelot fol-
lowed. And so he kneeled at her window, and the recluse opened it
and asked Sir Percivale what he would. Madam, he said, I am a knight
of King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir Percivale de Galis. When
the recluse heard his name she had great joy of him, for mickle she
had loved him to-fore any other knight, for she ought to do so, for she
was his aunt. And then she commanded the gates to be opened, and
there he had all the cheer that she might make him, and all that was
in her power was at his commandment.
So on the morn Sir Percivale went to the recluse and asked her if
she knew that knight with the white shield. Sir, said she, why would
ye wit ? Truly, madam, said Sir Percivale, I shall never be well at ease
till that I know of that knight's fellowship, and that I may fight with
him, for I may not leave him so lightly, for I have the shame yet. Ah,
Percivale, said she, would ye fight with him ? I see well ye have great
will to be slain as your father was, through outrageousness. Madam,
said Sir Percivale, it seemeth by your words that ye know me. Yea,
said she, I well ought to know you, for I am your aunt, although I be in
a priory place. For some called me sometime the Queen of the Waste
Lands, and I was called the queen of most riches in the world ; and it
iv b
2 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
pleased me never my riches so much as doth my poverty. Then Sir
Percivale wept for very pity when that he knew it was his aunt. Ah,
fair nephew, said she, when heard ye tidings of your mother ? Truly,
said he, I heard none of her, but I dream of her much in my sleep ; and
therefore I wot not whether she be dead or alive. Certes, fair nephew,
said she, your mother is dead, for after your departing from her she
took such a sorrow that anon, after she was confessed, she died. Now,
God have mercy on her soul, said Sir Percivale, it sore forthinketh
me ; but all we must change the life. Now, fair aunt, tell me what is
the knight ? I deem it be he that bare the red arms on Whitsunday.
Wit you well, said she, that this is he, for otherwise ought he not to do,
but to go in red arms; and that same knight hath no peer, for he
workethall by miracle, and he shall never be overcome of none earthly
man's hand.
CHAPTER II. HOW MERLIN LIKENED THE ROUND
TABLE TO THE WORLD, AND HOW THE KNIGHTS
THAT SHOULD ACHIEVE THE SANGREAL SHOULD BE
KNOWN
*"\\ LSO Merlin made the Round Table in tokening of roundness
A\ of the world, for by the Round Table is the world signified
II — v\ by right, for all the world, Christian and heathen, repair
JL J V unto the Round Table ; and when they are chosen to be of
the fellowship of the Round Table they think them more blessed and
more in worship than if they had gotten half the world ; and ye have
seen that they have lost their fathers and their mothers, and all their
kin, and their wives and their children, for to be of your fellowship.
It is well seen by you ; for since ye have departed from your mother
ye would never see her, ye found such fellowship at the Round Table.
When Merlin had ordained the Round Table he said, by them which
should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of the Sangreal should
be well known. And men asked him how men might know them that
should best do and to enchieve the Sangreal? Then he said there
should be three white bulls that should enchieve it, and the two should
be maidens, and the third should be chaste. And that one of the three
should pass his father as much as the lion passeth the leopard, both of
strength and hardiness.
They that heard Merlin say so said thus unto Merlin : Sithen there
Chap. 3 HOW PERCIVALE FOUND EVELAKE 3
shall be such a knight, thou shouldest ordain by thy crafts a siege, that
no man should sit in it but he all only that shall pass all other knights.
Then Merlin answered that he would do so. And then he made the
Siege Perilous, in the which Galahad sat in at his meat on Whitsunday
last past. Now, madam, said Sir Percivale, so much have I heard of
you that by my good will I will never have ado with Sir Galahad but
by way of kindness ; and for God's love, fair aunt, can ye teach me
some way where I may find him ? for much would I love the fellowship
of him. Fair nephew, said she, ye must ride unto a castle the which is
called Goothe, where he hath a cousin-germain, and there may ye be
lodged this night. And as he teacheth you, seweth after as fast as ye
can ; and if he can tell you no tidings of him, ride straight unto the
Castle of Carbonek, where the maimed king is there lying, for there
shall ye hear true tidings of him.
CHAPTER III. HOW SIR PERCIVALE CAME INTO A
MONASTERY, WHERE HE FOUND KING EVELAKE,
WHICH WAS AN OLD MAN
P — I I — ^HEN departed Sir Percivale from his aunt, either making
great sorrow. And so he rode till evensong time. And then
he heard a clock smite ; and then he was ware of an house
closed well with walls and deep ditches, and there he knocked
at the gate and was let in, and he alighted and was led unto a chamber,
and soon he was unarmed. And there he had right good cheer all that
night ; and on the morn he heard his mass, and in the monastery he
found a priest ready at the altar. And on the right side he saw a pew
closed with iron, and behind the altar he saw a rich bed and a fair, as
of cloth of silk and gold.
Then Sir Percivale espied that therein was a man or a woman, for
the visage was covered ; then he left off his looking and heard his
service. And when it came to the sacring, he that lay within that par-
clos dressed him up, and uncovered his head ; and then him beseemed
a passing old man, and he had a crown of gold upon his head, and his
shoulders were naked and unbilled unto his navel. And then Sir Per-
civale espied his body was full of great wounds, both on the shoulders,
arms, and visage. And ever he held up his hands against Our Lord's
body, and cried : Fair, sweet Father, Jesu Christ, forget not me. And
so he lay down, but always he was in his prayers and orisons ; and him
4 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
seemed to be of the age of three hundred winter. And when the mass
was done the priest took Our Lord's body and bare it to the sick king.
And when he had used it he did off his crown, and commanded the
crown to be set on the altar.
Then Sir Percivale asked one of the brethren what he was. Sir,
said the good man, ye have heard much of Joseph of Aramathie, how
he was sent by Jesu Christ into this land for to teach and preach the
holy Christian faith ; and therefore he suffered many persecutions the
which the enemies of Christ did unto him, and in the city of Sarras he
converted a king whose name was Evelake. And so this king came
with Joseph into this land, and ever he was busy to be thereas the San-
greal was ; and on a time he nighed it so nigh that Our Lord was dis-
pleased with him, but ever he followed it more and more, till God
struck him almost blind. Then this king cried mercy, and said: Fair
Lord, let me never die till the good knight of my blood of the ninth
degree be come, that I may see him openly that he shall enchieve the
Sangreal, that I may kiss him.
CHAPTER IV. HOW SIR PERCIVALE SAW MANY MEN
OF ARMS BEARING A DEAD KNIGHT, AND HOW HE
FOUGHT AGAINST THEM
'HEN the king thus had made his prayers he heard a
voice that said : Heard be thy prayers, for thou shalt
not die till Re have kissed thee. And when that knight
shall come the clearness of your eyes shall come
again, and thou shalt see openly, and thy wounds shall be healed, and
erst shall they never close. And this befell of King Evelake, and this
same king hath lived this three hundred winters this holy life, and men
say the knight is in the court that shall heal him. Sir, said the good
man, I pray you tell me what knight that ye be, and if ye be of King
Arthur's court and of the Table Round. Yea forsooth, said he, and my
name is Sir Percivale de Galis. And when the good man understood
his name he made great joy of him.
And then Sir Percivale departed and rode till the hour of noon. And
he met in a valley about a twenty men of arms, which bare in a bier a
knight deadly slain. And when they saw Sir Percivale they asked
him of whence he was. And he answered : Of the court of King Arthur.
Chap. 4 PERCIVALE AND THE MEN OF ARMS 5
Then they cried all at once : Slay him. Then Sir Percivale smote the
first to the earth and his horse upon him. And then seven of the knights
smote upon his shield all at once, and the remnant slew his horse so
that he fell to the earth. So had they slain him or taken him had not
the good knight, Sir Galahad, with the red arms come there by adven-
ture into those parts. And when he saw all those knights upon one
knight he cried : Save me that knight's life. And then he dressed him
toward the twenty men of arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his
spear in the rest, and smote the foremost horse and man to the earth.
And when his spear was broken he set his hand to his sword, and
smote on the right hand and on the left hand that it was marvel to see,
and at every stroke he smote one down or put him to a rebuke, so that
they would fight no more but fled to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad
followed them.
And when Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made great
sorrow that his horse was away. And then he wist well it was Sir
Galahad. And then he cried aloud : Ah fair knight, abide and suffer
me to do thankings unto thee, for much have ye done for me. But
ever Sir Galahad rode so fast that at the last he passed out of his sight.
And as fast as Sir Percivale might he went after him on foot, crying.
And then he met with a yeoman riding upon an hackney, the which
led in his hand a great steed blacker than any bear. Ah, fair friend,
said Sir Percivale, as ever I may do for you, and to be your true knight
in the first place ye will require me, that ye will lend me that black
steed, that I might overtake a knight the which rideth afore me. Sir
knight, said the yeoman, I pray you hold me excused of that, for
that I may not do. For wit ye well, the horse is such a man's horse,
that an I lent it you or any man, that he would slay me. Alas, said Sir
Percivale, I had never so great sorrow as I have had for losing of
yonder knight. Sir, said the yeoman, I am right heavy for you, for a
good horse would beseem you well ; but I dare not deliver you this
horse but if ye would take him from me. That will I not do, said Sir
Percivale. And so they departed ; and Sir Percivale set him down
under a tree, and made sorrow out of measure. And as he was there,
there came a knight riding on the horse that the yeoman led, and he
was clean armed.
6 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
CHAPTER V. HOW A YEOMAN DESIRED HIM TO
GET AGAIN AN HORSE, AND HOW SIR PERCIVALE'S
HACKNEY WAS SLAIN, AND HOW HE GAT AN HORSE
anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as ever he
might, and asked Sir Percivale if he saw any knight riding
on his black steed. Yea, sir, forsooth, said he; why, sir, ask
ye me that? Ah, sir, that steed he hath benome me with
strength ; wherefore my lord will slay me in what place he findeth me.
Well, said Sir Percivale, what wouldst thou that I did ? Thou seest
well that I am on foot, but an I had a good horse I should bring him soon
again. Sir, said the yeoman, take mine hackney and do the best ye
can, and I shall sewe you on foot to wit how that ye shall speed. Then
Sir Percivale alighted upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he might,
and at the last he saw that knight. And then he cried : Knight, turn
again ; and he turned and set his spear against Sir Percivale, and he
smote the hackney in the midst of the breast that he fell down dead to
the earth, and there he had a great fall, and the other rode his way.
And then Sir Percivale was wood wroth, and cried : Abide, wicked
knight ; coward and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with
me on foot. But he answered not, but passed on his way.
When Sir Percivale saw he would not turn he cast away his helm
and sword, and said : Now am I a very wretch, cursed and most unhappy
above all other knights. So in this sorrow he abode all that day till it
was night ; and then he was faint, and laid him down and slept till it
was midnight; and then he awaked and saw afore him a woman which
said unto him right fiercely : Sir Percivale, what dost thou here ? He
answered, I do neither good nor great ill. If thou wilt ensure me, said she,
that thou wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, I shall lend thee mine
own horse which shall bear thee whither thou wilt. Sir Percivale was
glad of her proffer, and ensured her to fulfil all her desire. Then abide
me here, and I shall go and fetch you an horse. And so she came soon
again and brought an horse with her that was inly black. When Perci-
vale beheld that horse he marvelled that it was so great and so well
apparelled ; and not for then he was so hardy, and he leapt upon him,
and took none heed of himself. And so anon as he was upon him he
thrust to him with his spurs, and so he rode by a forest, and the moon
shone clear. And within an hour and less he bare him four days'
Chap. 6 HOW A LION AND SERPENT FOUGHT 7
journey thence, until he came to a rough water the which roared, and
his horse would have borne him into it.
CHAPTER VI. OF THE GREAT DANGER THAT SIR
PERCIVALE WAS IN BY HIS HORSE, AND HOW HE SAW
A SERPENT AND A LION FIGHT
~"\\ ND when Sir Percivale came nigh the brim, and saw the water
A\ so boistous, he doubted to overpass it. And then he made
j — A a sign of the cross in his forehead. When the fiend felt
JL }\^ him so charged he shook off Sir Percivale, and he went
into the water crying and roaring, making great sorrow, and it seemed
unto him that the water brent. Then Sir Percivale perceived it was a
fiend, the which would have brought him unto his perdition. Then he
commended himself unto God, and prayed Our Lord to keep him
from all such temptations ; and so he prayed all that night till on the
morn that it was day ; then he saw that he was in a wild mountain the
which was closed with the sea nigh all about, that he might see no land
about him which might relieve him, but wild beasts.
And then he went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent
bring a young lion by the neck, and so he came by Sir Percivale. With
that came a great lion crying and roaring after the serpent. And as
fast as Sir Percivale saw this he marvelled, and hied him thither, but
anon the lion had overtaken the serpent and began battle with him.
And then Sir Percivale thought to help the lion, for he was the more
natural beast of the two ; and therewith he drew his sword, and set his
shield afore him, and there he gave the serpent such a buffet that he
had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no resem-
blaunt to fight with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might
make a man. Then Percivale perceived that, and cast down his shield
which was broken ; and then he did off his helm for to gather wind,
for he was greatly enchafed with the serpent : and the lion went alway
about him fawning as a spaniel. And then he stroked him on the neck
and on the shoulders. And then he thanked God of the fellowship of
that beast. And about noon the lion took his little whelp and trussed
him and bare him there he came from.
Then was Sir Percivale alone. And as the tale telleth, he was one
of the men of the world at that time which most believed in Our Lord
Jesu Christ, for in those days there were but few folks that believed in
8 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
God perfectly. For in those days the son spared not the father no more
than a stranger. And so Sir Percivale comforted himself in our Lord
Jesu, and besought God no temptation should bring him out of God's
service, but to endure as his true champion. Thus when Sir Percivale
had prayed he saw the lion come toward him, and then he couched
down at his feet. And so all that night the lion and he slept together ;
and when Sir Percivale slept he dreamed a marvellous dream, that
there two ladies met with him, and that one sat upon a lion, and that
other sat upon a serpent, and that one of them was young, and the other
was old ; and the youngest him thought said : Sir Percivale, my lord
saluteth thee, and sendeth thee word that thou array thee and make
thee ready, for to-morn thou must fight with the strongest champion of
the world. And if thou be overcome thou shall not be quit for losing of
any of thy members, but thou shalt be shamed for ever to the world's
end. And then he asked her what was her lord. And she said the
greatest lord of all the world : and so she departed suddenly that he
wist not where.
CHAPTER VII. OF THE VISION THAT SIR PERCIVALE
SAW, AND HOW HIS VISION WAS EXPOUNDED, AND
OF HIS LION
P< — I I — ^HEN came forth the other lady that rode upon the serpent,
and she said : Sir Percivale, I complain me of you that ye
have done unto me, and have not offended unto you. Certes,
madam, he said, unto you nor no lady I never offended. Yes,
said she, I shall tell you why. I have nourished in this place a great
while a serpent, which served me a great while, and yesterday ye
slew him as he gat his prey. Say me for what cause ye slew him, for
the lion was not yours. Madam, said Sir Percivale, I know well the
lion was not mine, but I did it for the lion is of more gentler nature than
the serpent, and therefore I slew him ; meseemeth I did not amiss
against you. Madam, said he, what would ye that I did ? I would, said
she, for the amends of my beast that ye become my man. And then he
answered: That will I not grant you. No, said she, truly ye were never
but my servant sin ye received the homage of Our Lord Jesu Christ.
Therefore, I ensure you in what place I may find you without keeping
I shall take you, as he that sometime was my man. And so she departed
from Sir Percivale and left him sleeping, the which was sore travailed
Chap. 7 OF THE VISION SIR PERCIVALE SAW 9
of his ad vision. And on the morn he arose and blessed him, and he was
passing feeble.
Then was Sir Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship come sailing
toward him ; and Sir Percivale went unto the ship and found it covered
within and without with white samite. And at the board stood an old
man clothed in a surplice, in likeness of a priest. Sir, said Sir Percivale,
ye be welcome. God keep you, said the good man. Sir, said the old
man, of whence be ye? Sir, said Sir Percivale, I am of King Arthur's
court, and aknight of the Table Round, the which am in the quest of the
Sangreal ; and here am I in great duresse, and never like to escape out
of this wilderness. Doubt not, said the good man, an ye be so true a
knight as the order of chivalry requireth, and of heart as ye ought to
be, ye should not doubt that none enemy should slay you. What are
ye ? said Sir Percivale. Sir, said the old man, I am of a strange country,
and hither I come to comfort you.
Sir, said Sir Percivale, what signifieth my dream that I dreamed
this night? And there he told him altogether: She which rode upon
the lion betokeneth the new law of holy church, that is to understand,
faith, good hope, belief, and baptism. For she seemed younger than
the other it is great reason, for she was born in the resurrection and
the passion of Our Lord Jesu Christ. And for great love she came to
thee to warn thee of thy great battle that shall befall thee. With whom,
said Sir Percivale, shall I fight? With the most champion of the world,
said the old man ; for as the lady said, but if thou quit thee well thou
shalt not be quit by losing of one member, but thou shalt be shamed to
the world's end. And she that rode on the serpent signifieth the old
law, and that serpent betokeneth a fiend. And why she blamed thee
that thou slewest her servant, it betokeneth nothing ; the serpent that
thou slewest betokeneth the devil that thou rodest upon to the rock.
And when thou madestasign of the cross, there thou slewest him, and
put away his power. And when she asked thee amends and to become
her man, and thou saidst thou wouldst not, that was to make thee to
believe on her and leave thy baptism. So he commanded Sir Per-
civale to depart, and so he leapt over the board and the ship, and all
went away he wist not whither. Then he went up unto the rock and
found the lion which always kept him fellowship, and he stroked him
upon the back and had great joy of him.
iv c
io LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
CHAPTER VIII. HOW SIR PERCIVALE SAW A SHIP COM-
ING TO HIM- WARD, AND HOW THE LADY OF THE SHIP
TOLD HIM OF HER DISHERITANCE
that Sir Percivale had abiden there till mid -day he saw a
ship came rowing in the sea, as all the wind of the world had
driven it. And so it drove under that rock. And when Sir
Percivale saw this he hied him thither, and found the ship
covered with silk more blacker than any bear, and therein was a
gentlewoman of great beauty, and she was clothed richly that none
might be better. And when she saw Sir Percivale she said: Who
brought you in this wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence,
for ye shall die here for hunger and mischief? Damosel, said Sir
Percivale, I serve the best man of the world, and in his service he will
not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh shall enter, and who that
asketh shall have, and who that seeketh him he hideth him not. But
then she said : Sir Percivale, wot ye what I am ? Yea, said he. Now
who taught you my name ? said she. Now, said Sir Percivale, I know
you better than ye ween. And I came out of the waste forest where I
found the Red Knight with the white shield, said the damosel. Ah,
damosel, said he, with that knight would I meet passing fain. Sir
knight, said she, an ye will ensure me by the faith that ye owe unto
knighthood that ye shall do my will what time I summon you, and I
shall bring you unto that knight. Yea, said he, I shall promise you to
fulfil your desire. Well, said she, now shall I tell you. I saw him in the
forest chasing two knights unto a water, the which is called Mortaise ;
and they drove him into the water for dread of death, and the two
knights passed over, and the Red Knight passed after, and there his
horse was drenched, and he, through great strength, escaped unto the
land : thus she told him, and Sir Percivale was passing glad thereof.
Then she asked him if he had ate any meat late. Nay, madam,
truly I ate no meat nigh this three days, but late here I spake with a
good man that fed me with his good words and holy, and refreshed
me greatly. Ah, sir knight, said she, that same man is an enchanter
and a multiplier of words. For an ye believe him ye shall plainly be
shamed, and die in this rock for pure hunger, and be eaten with wild
beasts ; and ye be a young man and a goodly knight, and I shall help
you an ye will. What are ye, said Sir Percivale, that proffered me
Chap. 9 PERCIVALE SAVED FROM THE FIEND 1 1
thus great kindness? I am, said she, a gentlewoman that am disherited,
which was sometime the richest woman of the world. Damosel, said
Sir Percivale, who hath disherited you? for I have great pity of you.
Sir, said she, I dwelled with the greatest man of the world, and he
made me so fair and clear that there was none like me ; and of that
great beauty I had a little pride more than I ought to have had. Also I
said a word that pleased him not. And then he would not suffer me to
be any longer in his company, and so drove me from mine heritage,
and so disherited me, and he had never pity of me nor of none of my
council, nor of my court. And sithen, sir knight, it hath befallen me so,
and through me and mine I have benome him many of his men, and
made them to become my men. For they ask never nothing of me but
I give it them, that and much more. Thus I and all my servants were
against him night and day. Therefore I know now no good knight, nor
no good man, but I get them on my side an I may. And for that I know
that thou art a good knight, I beseech you to help me ; and for ye be a
fellow of the Round Table, wherefore ye ought not to fail no gentle-
woman which is disherited, an she besought you of help.
CHAPTER IX. HOW SIR PERCIVALE PROMISED HER
HELP, AND HOW HE REQUIRED HER OF LOVE, AND
HOW HE WAS SAVED FROM THE FIEND
=dHEN Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he might ;
and then she thanked him. And at that time the weather
was hot. Then she called unto her a gentlewoman and bade
her bring forth a pavilion; and so she did, and pight it upon
the gravel. Sir, said she, now may ye rest you in this heat of the day.
Then he thanked her, and she put off his helm and his shield, and
there he slept a great while. And then he awoke and asked her if she
had any meat, and she said : Yea, also ye shall have enough. And so
there was set enough upon the table, and thereon so much that he had
marvel, for there was all manner of meats that he could think on. Also
he drank there the strongest wine that ever he drank, him thought,
and therewith he was a little chafed more than he ought to be ; with
that he beheld the gentlewoman, and him thought she was the fairest
creature that ever he saw. And then Sir Percivale proffered her love,
and prayed her that she would be his. Then she refused him, in a
manner, when he required her, for the cause he should be the more
12 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIV
ardent on her, and ever he ceased not to pray her of love. And when
she saw him well enchafed, then she said : Sir Percivale, wit you well
I shall not fulfil your will but if ye swear from henceforth ye shall be
my true servant, and to do nothing but that I shall command you. Will
ye ensure me this as ye be a true knight? Yea, said he, fair lady, by
the faith of my body. Well, said she, now shall ye do with me whatso
it please you ; and now wit ye well ye are the knight in the world that
I have most desire to.
And then two squires were commanded to make a bed in midst of
the pavilion. And anon she was unclothed and laid therein. And then
Sir Percivale laid him down by her naked ; and by adventure and
grace he saw his sword lie on the ground naked, in whose pommel
was a red cross and the sign of the crucifix therein, and bethought him
on his knighthood and his promise made to-forehand unto the good
man; then he made a sign of the cross in his forehead, and therewith
the pavilion turned up-so-down, and then it changed unto a smoke,
and a black cloud, and then he was adread and cried aloud :
CHAPTER X. HOW SIR PERCIVALE FOR PENANCE ROVE
HIMSELF THROUGH THE THIGH; AND HOW SHE WAS
KNOWN FOR THE DEVIL
^ I ^AIR sweet Father, Jesu Christ, ne let me not be shamed, the
r which was nigh lost had not thy good grace been. And then
he looked into a ship, and saw her enter therein, which said :
Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me. And so she went with
the wind roaring and yelling, that it seemed all the water brent after
her. Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and drew his sword unto
him, saying : Sithen my flesh will be my master I shall punish it ; and
therewith he rove himself through the thigh that the blood stert about
him, and said : O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that I have
done against thee, my Lord. So then he clothed him and armed him,
and called himself a wretch, saying : How nigh was I lost, and to have
lost that I should never have gotten again, that was my virginity, for
that may never be recovered after it is once lost. And then he stopped
his bleeding wound with a piece of his shirt.
Thus as he made his moan he saw the same ship come from Orient
that the good man was in the day afore, and the noble knight was
ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon. And when
Chap. 10 OF SIR PERCIVALE'S PENANCE 13
he awoke he went unto him weakly, and there he saluted this good
man. And then he asked Sir Percivale : How hast thou done sith I
departed? Sir, said he, here was a gentlewoman and led me into
deadly sin. And there he told him altogether. Knewye not the maid ?
said the good man. Sir, said he, nay, but well I wot the fiend sent her
hither to shame me. O good knight, said he, thou art a fool, for that
gentlewoman was the master fiend of hell, the which hath power
above all devils, and that was the old lady that thou sawest in thine
advision riding on the serpent. Then he told Sir Percivale how our
Lord Jesu Christ beat him out of heaven for his sin, the which was the
most brightest angel of heaven, and therefore he lost his heritage.
And that was the champion that thou foughtest withal, the which had
overcome thee had not the grace of God been. Now beware Sir
Percivale, and take this for an ensample. And then the good man
vanished away. Then Sir Percivale took his arms, and entered into
the ship, and so departed from thence.
HERE ENDETH THE FOURTEENTH BOOK, WHICH IS
OF SIR PERCIVALE. AND HERE FOLLOWETH OF SIR
LAUNCELOT, WHICH IS THE FIFTEENTH BOOK
BOOK XV
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO A CHAPEL,
WHERE HE FOUND DEAD, IN A WHITE SHIRT, A MAN
OF RELIGION, OF AN HUNDRED WINTER OLD
"HEN the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days,
the hermit gat him an horse, an helm, and a sword.
And then he departed about the hour of noon. And
then he saw a little house. And when he came near
he saw a chapel, and there beside he saw an old man that was clothed
all in white full richly ; and then Sir Launcelot said : God save you.
God keep you, said the good man, and make you a good knight. Then
Sir Launcelot alighted and entered into the chapel, and there he saw
an old man dead, in a white shirt of passing fine cloth.
Sir, said the good man, this man that is dead ought not to be in such
clothing as ye see him in, for in that he brake the oath of his order, for
he hath been more than an hundred winter a man of a religion. And
then the good man and Sir Launcelot went into the chapel ; and the
good man took a stole about his neck, and a book, and then he conjured
on that book ; and with that they saw in an hideous figure and horrible,
that there was no man so hard-hearted nor so hard but he should have
been afeard. Then said the fiend: Thou hast travailed me greatly;
now tell me what thouwilt with me. I will, said the good man, that thou
tell me how my fellow became dead, and whether he be saved or
damned. Then he said with an horrible voice : He is not lost but
saved. How may that be ? said the good man ; it seemed to me that he
lived not well, for he brake his order for to wear a shirt where he
ought to wear none, and who that trespasseth against our order doth
not well. Not so, said the fiend, this man that lieth here dead was come
of a great lineage. And there was a lord that hight the Earl de Vale,
that held great war against this man's nephew, the which hight
Aguarus. And so this Aguarus saw the earl was bigger than he. Then
he went for to take counsel of his uncle, the which lieth here dead as
ye may see. And then he asked leave, and went out of his hermitage
for to maintain his nephew against the mighty earl ; and so it happed
Chap. 2 OF A DEAD MAN AND LAUNCELOT 15
that this man that lieth here dead did so much by his wisdom and
hardiness that the earl was taken, and three of his lords, by force of
this dead man.
CHAPTER II. OF A DEAD MAN, HOW MEN WOULD HAVE
HEWN HIM, AND IT WOULD NOT BE, AND HOW SIR
LAUNCELOT TOOK THE HAIR OF THE DEAD MAN
was there peace betwixt the earl and this Aguarus,
and great surety that the earl should never war against him.
Then this dead man that here lieth came to this hermitage
again ; and then the earl made two of his nephews for to be
avenged upon this man. So they came on a day, and found this dead
man at the sacring of his mass, and they abode him till he had said
mass. And then they set upon him and drew out swords to have slain
him ; but there would no sword bite on him more than upon a gad of
steel, for the high Lord which he served He him preserved. Then
made they a great fire, and did off all his clothes, and the hair off his
back. And then this dead man hermit said unto them : Ween you to
burn me? It shall not lie in your power nor to perish me as much as a
thread, an there were any on my body. No? said one of them, it shall
be assayed. And then they despoiled him, and put upon him this shirt,
and cast him in a fire, and there he lay all that night till it was day in
that fire, and was not dead, and so in the morn I came and found him
dead ; but I found neither thread nor skin tamed, and so took him out
of the fire with great fear, and laid him here as ye may see. And now
may ye suffer me to go my way, for I have said you the sooth. And
then he departed with a great tempest.
Then was the good man and Sir Launcelot more gladder than they
were to- fore. And then Sir Launcelot dwelled with that good man
that night. Sir, said the good man, be ye not Sir Launcelot du Lake ?
Yea, sir, said he. What seek ye in this country? Sir, said Sir Launce-
lot, I go to seek the adventures of the Sangreal. Well, said he, seek it
ye may well, but though it were here ye shall have no power to see it
no more than a blind man should see a bright sword, and that is long
on your sin, and else ye were more abler than any man living. And
then Sir Launcelot began to weep. Then said the good man : Were
ye confessed sith ye entered into the quest of the Sangreal ? Yea, sir,
said Sir Launcelot. Then upon the morn when the good man had sung
16 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XV
his mass, then they buried the dead man. Then Sir Launcelot said :
Father, what shall I do ? Now, said the good man, I require you take
this hair that was this holy man's and put it next thy skin, and it shall
prevail thee greatly. Sir, and I will do it, said Sir Launcelot. Also I
charge you that ye eat no flesh as long as ye be in the quest of the
Sangreal, nor ye shall drink no wine, and that ye hear mass daily an
ye may do it. So he took the hair and put it upon him, and so departed
at evensong-time.
And so rode he into a forest, and there he met with a gentlewoman
riding upon a white palfrey, and then she asked him: Sir knight,
whither ride ye? Certes, damosel, said Launcelot, I wot not whither
I ride but as fortune leadeth me. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said she, I wot
what adventure ye seek, for ye were afore time nearer than ye be
now, and yet shall ye see it more openly than ever ye did, and that
shall ye understand in short time. Then Sir Launcelot asked her
where he might be harboured that night. Ye shall not find this day nor
night, but to-morn ye shall find harbour good, and ease of that ye be in
doubt of. And then he commended her unto God. Then he rode till
that he came to a Cross, and took that for his host as for that night.
CHAPTER III. OF AN AD VISION THAT SIR LAUNCELOT
HAD, AND HOW HE TOLD IT TO AN HERMIT, AND
DESIRED COUNSEL OF HIM
iND so he put his horse to pasture, and did off his helm and his
shield, and made his prayers unto the Cross that he never
fall in deadly sin again. And so he laid him down to sleep.
And anon as he was asleep it befell him there an advision,
that there came a man afore him all by compass of stars, and that man
had a crown of gold on his head, and that man led in his fellowship
seven kings and two knights. And all these worshipped the Cross,
kneeling upon their knees, holding up their hands toward the heaven.
And all they said : Fair sweet Father of heaven, come and visit us, and
yield unto us everych as we have deserved.
Then looked Launcelot up to the heaven, and him seemed the clouds
did open, and an old man came down, with a company of angels, and
alighted among them, and gave unto everych his blessing, and called
them his servants, and good and true knights. And when this old man
had said thus he came to one of those knights, and said : I have lost all
Chap. 4 THE HERMIT EXPOUNDS HIS VISION 17
that I have set in thee, for thou hast ruled thee against me as a warrior,
and used wrong wars with vain-glory, more for the pleasure of the
world than to please me, therefore thou shalt be confounded without
thou yield me my treasure. All this advision saw Sir Launcelot at
the Cross.
And on the morn he took his horse and rode till midday; and there
by adventure he met with the same knight that took his horse, helm,
and his sword, when he slept when the Sangreal appeared afore the
Cross. When Sir Launcelot saw him he saluted him not fair, but cried
on high : Knight, keep thee, for thou hast done to me great unkindness.
And then they put afore them their spears, and Sir Launcelot came
so fiercely upon him that he smote him and his horse down to the earth,
that he had nigh broken his neck. Then Sir Launcelot took the knight's
horse that was his own aforehand, and descended from the horse he
sat upon, and mounted upon his own horse, and tied the knight's own
horse to a tree, that he might find that horse when that he was arisen.
Then Sir Launcelot rode till night, and by ad venture he met an hermit,
and each of them saluted other ; and there he rested with that good man
all night, and gave his horse such as he might get. Then said the good
man unto Launcelot: Of whence be ye? Sir, said he, I am of Arthur's
court, and my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake that am in the quest of
the Sangreal, and therefore I pray you to counsel me of a vision the
which I had at the Cross. And so he told him all.
CHAPTER IV. HOW THE HERMIT EXPOUNDED TO SIR
LAUNCELOT HIS ADVISION, AND TOLD HIM THAT SIR
GALAHAD WAS HIS SON
O, Sir Launcelot, said the good man, there thou mightest under-
stand the high lineage that thou art come of, and thine
advision betokeneth. After the passion of Jesu Christ forty
year, Joseph of Aramathie preached the victory of King
Evelake, that he had in the battles the better of his enemies. And of the
seven kings and the two knights : the first of them is called Nappus, an
holy man ; and the second hight Nacien, in remembrance of his grand-
sire, and in him dwelled our Lord Jesu Christ ; and the third was called
Helias le Grose ; and the fourth hight Lisais ; and the fifth hight Jonas,
he departed out of his country and went into Wales, and took there
the daughter of Manuel, whereby he had the land of Gaul, and he
iv d
is LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XV
came to dwell in this country. And of him came King Launcelot thy
grandsire, the which there wedded the king's daughter of Ireland, and
he was as worthy a man as thou art, and of him came King Ban, thy
father, the which was the last of the seven kings. And by thee, Sir
Launcelot, itsignifieth that the angels said thou were none of the seven
fellowships. And the last was the ninth knight, he was signified to a
lion, for he should pass all manner of earthly knights, that is Sir Galahad,
the which thou gat on King Pelles' daughter ; and thou ought to thank
God more than any other man living, for of a sinner earthly thou hast
no peer as in knighthood, nor never shall be. But little thank hast thou
given to God for all the great virtues that God hath lent thee. Sir, said
Launcelot, ye say that that good knight is my son. That oughtest thou
to know and no man better, said the good man, for thou knewest the
daughter of King Pelles fleshly, and on her thou begattest Galahad,
and that was he that at the feast of Pentecost sat in the Siege Perilous ;
and therefore make thou it known openly that he is one of thy begetting
on King Pelles' daughter, for that will be your worship and honour,
and to all thy kindred. And I counsel you in no place press not upon
him to have ado with him. Well, said Launcelot, meseemeth that good
knight should pray for me unto the High Father, that I fall not to sin
again. Trust thou well, said the good man, thou fairest mickle the
better for his prayer; but the son shall not bear the wickedness of the
father, nor the father shall not bear the wickedness of the son, but
everych shall bear his own burden. And therefore beseek thou only
God, and He will help thee in all thy needs. And then Sir Launcelot
and he went to supper, and so laid him to rest, and the hair pricked so
Sir Launcelot's skin which grieved him full sore, but he took it meekly,
and suffered the pain. And so on the morn he heard his mass and took
his arms, and so took his leave.
CHAPTER V. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT JOUSTED WITH
MANY KNIGHTS, AND HOW HE WAS TAKEN
"*\\ ND then mounted upon his horse, and rode into a forest, and
A\ held no highway. And as he looked afore him he saw a fair
I — A plain, and beside that a fair castle, and afore the castle were
JL J V many pavilions of silk and of diverse hue. And him seemed
that he saw there five hundred knights riding on horseback ; and there
were two parties : they that were of the castle were all on black horses
Chap. 5 HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS TAKEN 19
and their trappings black, and they that were without were all on white
horses and trappings, and everych hurtled to other that it marvelled
Sir Launcelot. And at the last him thought they of the castle were
put to the worse.
Then thought Sir Launcelot for to help there the weaker party in
increasing of his chivalry. And so Sir Launcelot thrust in among the
party of the castle, and smote down a knight, horse and man, to the
earth. And then he rashed here and there, and did marvellous deeds
of arms. And then he drew out his sword, and struck many knights to
the earth, so that all those that saw him marvelled that ever one knight
might do so great deeds of arms. But always the white knights held
them nigh about Sir Launcelot, for to tire him and wind him. But at
the last, as a man may not ever endure, Sir Launcelot waxed so faint
of fighting and travailing, and was so weary of his great deeds, that he
might not lift up his arms for to give one stroke, so that he weened
never to have borne arms ; and then they all took and led him away
into a forest, and there made him to alight and to rest him. And then
all the fellowship of the castle were overcome for the default of him.
Then they said all unto Sir Launcelot : Blessed be God that ye be now
of our fellowship, for we shall hold you in our prison ; and so they left
him with few words. And then Sir Launcelot made great sorrow, For
never or now was I never at tournament nor jousts but I had the best,
and now I am shamed ; and then he said : Now I am sure that I am more
sinfuller than ever I was.
Thus he rode sorrowing, and half a day he was out of despair, till
that he came into a deep valley. And when Sir Launcelot saw he
might not ride up into the mountain, he there alighted under an apple
tree, and there he left his helm and his shield, and put his horse unto
pasture. And then he laid him down to sleep. And then him thought
there came an old man afore him, the which said : Ah, Launcelot of
evil faith and poor belief, wherefore is thy will turned so lightly toward
thy deadly sin? And when he had said thus he vanished away, and
Launcelot wist not where he was become. Then he took his horse,
and armed him ; and as he rode by the way he saw a chapel where
was a recluse, which had a window that she might see up to the altar.
And all aloud she called Launcelot, for that he seemed a knight errant.
And then he came, and she asked him what he was, and of what place,
and where about he went to seek.
20 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XV
CHAPTER VI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT TOLD HIS AD-
VISION TO A WOMAN, AND HOW SHE EXPOUNDED IT
TO HIM
~*\\ ND then he told her altogether word by word, and the truth
A\ how it befell him at the tournament. And after told her his
I \\ advision that he had had that night in his sleep, and prayed
•**-L -IX. her to tell him what it might mean, for he was not well con-
tent with it. Ah, Launcelot, said she, as long as ye were knight of
earthly knighthood ye were the most marvellous man of the world,
and most adventurous. Now, said the lady, sithen ye be set among the
knights of heavenly adventures, if adventure fell thee contrary at that
tournament have thou no marvel, for that tournament yesterday was
but a tokening of Our Lord. And not for then there was none enchant-
ment, for they at the tournament were earthly knights. The tourna-
ment was a token to see who should have most knights, either Eliazar,
the son of King Pelles, or Argustus, the son of King Harlon. But Eliazar
was all clothed in white, and Argustus was covered in black, the which
were overcome.
All what this betokeneth I shall tell you. The day of Pentecost,
when King Arthur held his court, it befell that earthly kings and
knights took a tournament together, that is to say the quest of the
Sangreal. The earthly knights were they the which were clothed all
in black, and the covering betokeneth the sins whereof they be not
confessed. And they with the covering of white betokeneth virginity,
and they that chose chastity. And thus was the quest begun in them.
Then thou beheld the sinners and the good men, and when thou sawest
the sinners overcome, thou inclinest to that party for bobaunce and
pride of the world, and all that must be left in that quest, for in this
quest thou shall have many fellows and thy betters. For thou art so
feeble of evil trust and good belief, this made it when thou were there
where they took thee and led thee into the forest. And anon there
appeared the Sangreal unto the white knights, but thou was so feeble
of good belief and faith that thou mightest not abide it for all the
teaching of the good man, but anon thou turnest to the sinners, and
that caused thy misadventure that thou should'st know good from evil
and vain glory of the world, the which is not worth a pear. And for
great pride thou madest great sorrow that thou hadst not overcome all
Chap. 6 OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S ADVENTURE 21
the white knights with the covering of white, by whom was betokened
virginity and chastity; and therefore God was wroth with you, for
God loveth no such deeds in this quest. And this advision signifieth
that thouwere of evil faith and of poor belief, the which will make thee
to fall into the deep pit of hell if thou keep thee not. Now have I warned
theeof thy vain glory and of thy pride, that thou hast many times erred
against thy Maker. Beware of everlasting pain, for of all earthly
knights I have most pity of thee, for I know well thou hast not thy peer
of any earthly sinful man.
And so she commended Sir Launcelot to dinner. And after dinner
he took his horse and commended her to God, and so rode into a deep
valley, and there he saw a river and an high mountain. And through
the water he must needs pass, the which was hideous ; and then in the
name of God he took it with good heart. And when he came over he
saw an armed knight, horse and man black as any bear ; without any
word he smote Sir Launcelot's horse to the earth ; and so he passed
on, he wist not where he was become. And then he took his helm and
his shield, and thanked God of his adventure.
HERE LEAVETH OFF THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT,
AND SPEAK WE OF SIR GAWAINE, THE WHICH IS THE
SIXTEENTH BOOK
BOOK XVI
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR GAWAINE WAS NIGH WEARY OF
THE QUEST OF THE SANGREAL, AND OF HIS MARVEL-
LOUS DREAM
AT "N C ^\f~ HEN Sir Gawaine was departed from his fellowship
\\ /\\ I he rode long without any adventure. For he found
\ v \ V not t'ie tenth Part °f adventure as he was wont to do.
V V For Sir Gawaine rode from Whitsuntide until Michael-
mas and found none adventure that pleased him. So on a day it befell
Gawaine met with Sir Ector de Maris, and either made great joy of
other that it were marvel to tell. And so they told everych other, and
complained them greatly that they could find none adventure. Truly,
said Sir Gawaine unto Sir Ector, I am nigh weary of this quest, and
loath I am to follow further in strange countries. One thing marvelled
me, said Sir Ector, I have met with twenty knights, fellows of mine,
and all they complain as I do. I have marvel, said Sir Gawaine, where
that Sir Launcelot, your brother, is. Truly, said Sir Ector, I cannot
hear of him, nor of Sir Galahad, Percivale, nor Sir Bors. Let them be,
said Sir Gawaine, for they four have no peers. And if one thing were
not in Sir Launcelot he had no fellow of none earthly man ; but he is as
we be, but if he took more pain upon him. But an these four be met
together they will be loath that any man meet with them ; for an they
fail of the Sangreal it is in waste of all the remnant to recover it.
Thus Ector and Gawaine rode more than eight days, and on a
Saturday they found an old chapel, the which was wasted that there
seemed no man thither repaired; and there they alighted, and set
their spears at the door, and in they entered into the chapel, and there
made their orisons a great while, and set them down in the sieges of
the chapel. And as they spake of one thing and other, for heaviness
they fell asleep, and there befell them both marvellous adventures.
Sir Gawaine him seemed he came into a meadow full of herbs and
flowers, and there he saw a rack of bulls, an hundred and fifty, that
were proud and black, save three of them were all white, and one had
a black spot, and the other two were so fair and so white that they
Chap. 2 OF THE ADVISION OF SIR ECTOR 23
might be no whiter. And these three bulls which were so fair were
tied with two strong cords. And the remnant of the bulls said among
them : Go we hence to seek better pasture. And so some went, and
some came again, but they were so lean that they might not stand
upright ; and of the bulls that were so white, that one came again and
no mo. But when this white bull was come again among these other
there rose up a great cry for lack of wind that failed them ; and so they
departed one here and another there : this advision befell Gawaine
that night.
CHAPTER II. OF THE ADVISION OF SIR ECTOR, AND
HOW HE JOUSTED WITH SIR UWAINE LES AVOUTRES,
HIS SWORN BROTHER
I UT to Ector de Maris befell another vision the contrary. For
it seemed him that his brother, Sir Launcelot, and he alighted
out of a chair and leapt upon two horses, and the one said to
the other : Go we seek that we shall not find. And him thought
that a man beat Sir Launcelot, and despoiled him, and clothed him in
another array, the which was all full of knots, and set him upon an ass,
and so he rode till he came to the fairest well that ever he saw ; and Sir
Launcelot alighted and would have drunk of that well. And when he
stooped to drink of the water the water sank from him. And when Sir
Launcelot saw that, he turned and went thither as the head came from.
And in the meanwhile he trowed that himself and Sir Ector rode till
that they came to a rich man's house where there was a wedding. And
there he saw a king the which said : Sir knight, here is no place for
you. And then he turned again unto the chair that he came from.
Thus within a while both Gawaine and Ector awaked, and either
told other of their advision, the which marvelled them greatly. Truly,
said Ector, I shall never be merry till I hear tidings of my brother
Launcelot. Now as they sat thus talking they saw an hand showing
unto the elbow, and was covered with red samite, and upon that hung
a bridle not right rich, and held within the fist a great candle which
burned right clear, and so passed afore them, and entered into the
chapel, and then vanished away and they wist not where. And anon
came down a voice which said : Knights of full evil faith and of poor
belief, these two things have failed you, and therefore ye may not
come to the adventures of the Sangreal.
24 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
Then first spake Gawaine and said : Ector, have ye heard these
words? Yea truly, said Sir Ector, I heard all. Now go we, said Sir
Ector, unto some hermit that will tell us of our advision, for it seemeth
me we labour all in vain. And so they departed and rode into a valley,
and there met with a squire which rode on an hackney, and they saluted
him fair. Sir, said Gawaine, can thou teach us to any hermit ? Here is
one in a little mountain, but it is so rough there may no horse go thither,
and therefore ye must go upon foot ; there shall ye find a poor house,
and there is Nacien the hermit, which is the holiest man in this country.
And so they departed either from other.
And then in a valley they met with a knight all armed, which
proffered them to joust as far as he sawthem. In the name of God, said
Sir Gawaine, sith I departed from Camelot there was none proffered
me to joust but once. And now, sir, said Ector, let me joust with him.
Nay, said Gawaine, ye shall not but if I be beat ; it shall not for-think
me then if ye go after me. And then either embraced other to joust
and came together as fast as their horses might run, and brast their
shields and the mails, and the one more than the other ; and Gawaine
was wounded in the left side, but the other knight was smitten through
the breast, and the spear came out on the other side, and so they fell
both out of their saddles, and in the falling they brake both their
spears.
Anon Gawaine arose and set his hand to his sword, and cast his
shield afore him. But all for naught was it, for the knight had no power
to arise against him. Then said Gawaine : Ye must yield you as an
overcome man, or else I may slay you. Ah, sir knight, said he, I am but
dead, for God's sake and of your gentleness lead me here unto an abbey
that I may receive my Creator. Sir, said Gawaine, I know no house of
religion hereby. Sir, said the knight, set me on an horse to-fore you,
and I shall teach you. Gawaine set him up in the saddle, and he leapt
up behind him for to sustain him, and so came to an abbey where they
were well received; and anon he was unarmed, and received his
Creator. Then he prayed Gawaine to draw out the truncheon of the
spear out of his body. Then Gawaine asked him what he was, that
knew him not. I am, said he, of King Arthur's court, and was a fellow
of the Round Table, and we were brethren sworn together ; and now
Sir Gawaine, thou hast slain me, and my name is Uwaine les Avoutres,
that sometime was son unto King Uriens, and was in the quest of the
Chap. 3 HOW THEY TOLD THEIR VISIONS 25
Sangreal ; and now forgive it thee God, for it shall ever be said that the
one sworn brother hath slain the other.
CHAPTER III. HOW SIR GAWAINE AND SIR ECTOR
CAME TO AN HERMITAGE TO BE CONFESSED, AND
HOW THEY TOLD TO THE HERMIT THEIR ADVISIONS
LLAS, said Gawaine, that ever this misadventure is befallen me.
No force, said Uwaine, sith I shall die this death, of a much
more worshipfuller man's hand might I not die ; but when
ye come to the court recommend me unto my lord, King
Arthur, and all those that be left alive, and for old brotherhood think
on me. Then began Gawaine to weep, and Ector also. And then
Uwaine himself and Sir Gawaine drew out the truncheon of the spear,
and anon departed the soul from the body. Then Sir Gawaine and
Sir Ector buried him as men ought to bury a king's son, and made write
upon his name, and by whom he was slain.
Then departed Gawaine and Ector, as heavy as they might fortheir
misadventure, and so rode till that they came to the rough mountain,
and there they tied their horses and went on foot to the hermitage. And
when they were come up they saw a poor house, and beside the chapel
a little courtelage, where Nacien the hermit gathered worts, as he
which had tasted none other meat of a great while. And when he saw
the errant knights he came toward them and saluted them, and they
him again. Fair lords, said he, what adventure brought you hither?
Sir, said Gawaine, to speak with you for to be confessed. Sir, said
the hermit, I am ready. Then they told him so much that he wist well
what they were. And then he thought to counsel them if he might.
Then began Gawaine first and told him of his advision that he had
had in the chapel, and Ector told him all as it is afore rehearsed. Sir,
said the hermit unto Sir Gawaine, the fair meadow and the rack therein
ought to be understood the Round Table, and by the meadow ought to
be understood humility and patience, those be the things which be
always green and quick ; for men may no time overcome humility and
patience, therefore was the Round Table founded ; and the chivalry
hath been at all times so by the fraternity which was there that she
might not be overcome ; for men said she was founded in patience and
in humility. At the rack ate an hundred and fifty bulls ; but they ate
not in the meadow, for their hearts should be set in humility and patience,
iv e
26 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
and the bulls were proud and black save only three. By the bulls is to
understand the fellowship of the Round Table, which for their sin and
their wickedness be black. Blackness is to say without good orvirtuous
works. And the three bulls which were white save only one that was
spotted : the two white betoken Sir Galahad and Sir Percivale, for they
be maidens clean and without spot ; and the third that had a spot sig-
nifieth Sir Bors de Ganis, which trespassed but once in his virginity,
but sithen he kept himself so well in chastity that all is forgiven him and
his misdeeds. And why those three were tied by the necks, they be
three knights in virginity and chastity, and there is no pride smitten
in them. And the black bulls which said: Go we hence, they were those
which at Pentecost at the high feast took upon them to go in the quest of
the Sangreal without confession : they might not enter in the meadow
of humility and patience. And therefore they returned into waste
countries, that signifieth death, for there shall die many of them :
everych of them shall slay other for sin, and they that shall escape shall
be so lean that it shall be marvel to see them. And of the three bulls
without spot, the one shall come again, and the other two never.
CHAPTER IV. HOW THE HERMIT EXPOUNDED THEIR
ADVISION
^ — I I — >]HEN spake Nacien unto Ector: Sooth it is that Launcelot
and ye came down offone chair : the chair betokeneth master-
ship and lordship which ye came down from. But ye two
knights, said the hermit, ye go to seek that ye shall never
find, that is the Sangreal ; for it is the secret thing of our Lord Jesu
Christ. What is to mean that Sir Launcelot fell down off his horse : he
hath left pride and taken him to humility, for he hath cried mercy loud
for his sin, and sore repented him, and our Lord hath clothed him in
his clothing which is full of knots, that is the hair that he weareth daily.
And the ass that he rode upon is a beast of humility, for God would not
ride upon no steed, nor upon no palfrey; so in ensample that an ass
betokeneth meekness, that thou sawest Sir Launcelot ride on in thy
sleep. And the well whereas the water sank from him when he should
have taken thereof, and when he saw he might not have it, he returned
thither from whence he came, for the well betokeneth the high grace
of God, the more men desire it to take it, the more shall be their desire.
So when he came nigh the Sangreal, he meeked him that he held him
Chap. 5 THE HERMIT'S GOOD COUNSEL 27
not a man worthy to be so nigh the Holy Vessel, for he had been so
defouled in deadly sin by the space of many years; yet when he
kneeled to drink of the well, there he saw great providence of the
Sangreal. And for he had served so long the devil, he shall have ven-
geance four-and -twenty days long, for that he hath been the devil's
servant four-and-twenty years. And then soon after he shall return
unto Camelot out of this country, and he shall say a part of such things
as he hath found.
Now will I tell you what betokeneth the hand with the candle and
the bridle : that is to understand the Holy Ghost where charity is
ever, and the bridle signifieth abstinence. For when she is bridled in
Christian man's heart she holdeth him so short that he falleth not in
deadly sin. And the candle which sheweth clearness and sight signi-
fieth the right way of Jesu Christ. And when he went and said : Knights
of poor faith and of wicked belief, these three things failed, charity,
abstinence, and truth ; therefore ye may not attain that high adventure
of the Sangreal.
CHAPTER V. OF THE GOOD COUNSEL THAT THE
HERMIT GAVE TO THEM
[ERTES, said Gawaine, soothly have ye said, that I see it
openly. Now, I pray you, good man and holy father, tell me
why we met not with so many adventures as we were wont to
do, and commonly have the better. I shall tell you gladly, said
the good man; the adventure of the Sangreal which ye and many other
have undertaken the quest of it and find it not, the cause is for it
appeareth not to sinners. Wherefore marvel not though ye fail thereof,
and many other. For ye be an untrue knight, and a great murderer,
and to good men signifieth other things than murder. For I dare say,
as sinful as Sir Launcelot hath been, sith that he went into the quest of
the Sangreal he slew never man, nor nought shall, till that he come
unto Camelot again, for he hath taken upon him for to forsake sin. And
nere that he nis not stable, but by his thought he is likely to turn again,
he should be next to enchieve it save Galahad, his son. But God knoweth
his thought and his unstableness, and yet shall he die right an holy
man, and no doubt he hath no fellow of no earthly sinful man. Sir, said
Gawaine, it seemeth me by your words that for our sins it will not avail
us to travel in this quest. Truly, said the good man, there be an hun-
28 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
dred such as ye be that never shall prevail, but to have shame. And
when they had heard these voices they commended him unto God.
Then the good man called Gawaine, and said : It is long time passed
sith that ye were made knight, and never sithen thou servedst thy
Maker, and now thou art so old a tree that in thee is neither life nor
fruit ; wherefore bethink thee that thou yield to Our Lord the bare
rind, sith the fiend hath the leaves and the fruit. Sir, said Gawaine, an
I had leisure I would speak with you, but my fellow here, Sir Ector, is
gone, and abideth me yonder beneath the hill. Well, said the good
man, thou were better to be counselled. Then departed Gawaine and
came to Ector, and so took their horses and rode till they came to a
forester's house, which harboured them right well. And on the morn
they departed from their host, and rode long or they could find any
adventure.
CHAPTER VI. HOW SIR BORS MET WITH AN HERMIT,
AND HOW HE WAS CONFESSED TO HIM, AND OF HIS
PENANCE ENJOINED TO HIM
"HEN Bors was departed from Camelot he met with a
religious man riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted
him. Anon the good man knew him that he was one of
the knights-errant that was in the quest of the Sangreal.
What are ye ? said the good man. Sir, said he, I am a knight that fain
would be counselled in the quest of the Sangreal, for he shall have
much earthly worship that may bring it to an end. Certes, said the
good man, that is sooth, for he shall be the best knight of the world,
and the fairest of all the fellowship. But wit you well there shall none
attain it but by cleanness, that is pure confession.
So rode they together till that they came to an hermitage. And there
he prayed Bors to dwell all that night with him. And so he alighted
and put away his armour, and prayed him that he might be confessed ;
and so they went into the chapel, and there he was clean confessed,
and they ate bread and drank water together. Now, said the good
man, I pray thee that thou eat none other till that thou sit at the table
where the Sangreal shall be. Sir, said he, I agree me thereto, but how
wit ye that I shall sit there. Yes, said the good man, that know I, but
there shall be but few of your fellows with you. All is welcome, said
Sir Bors, that God sendeth me. Also, said the good man, instead of a
Chap. 7 OF SIR BORS AND THE LADY 29
shirt, and in sign of chastisement, ye shall wear a garment ; therefore
I pray you do off all your clothes and your shirt : and so he did. And
then he took him a scarlet coat, so that should be instead of his
shirt till he had fulfilled the quest of the Sangreal ; and the good man
found in him so marvellous a life and so stable, that he marvelled and
felt that he was never corrupt in fleshly lusts, but in one time that he
begat Elian le Blank.
Then he armed him, and took his leave, and so departed. And so a
little from thence he looked up into a tree, and there he saw a passing
great bird upon an old tree, and it was passing dry, without leaves ; and
the bird sat above, and had birds, the which were dead for hunger.
So smote he himself with his beak, the which was great and sharp.
And so the great bird bled till that he died among his birds. And the
young birds took the life by the blood of the great bird. When Bors
saw this he wist well it was a great tokening ; for when he saw the great
bird arose not, then he took his horse and yede his way. So by even-
song, by adventure he came to a strong tower and an high, and there
was he lodged gladly.
CHAPTER VII. HOW SIR BORS WAS LODGED WITH A
LADY, AND HOW HE TOOK UPON HIM FOR TO FIGHT
AGAINST A CHAMPION FOR HER LAND
,ND when he was unarmed they led him into an high tower
where was a lady, young, lusty, and fair. And she received
him with great joy, and made him to sit down by her, and
so was he set to sup with flesh and many dainties. And
when Sir Bors saw that, he bethought him on his penance, and bade a
squire to bring him water. And so he brought him, and he made sops
therein and ate them. Ah, said the lady, I trow ye like not my meat.
Yes, truly, said Sir Bors, God thank you, madam, but I may eat none
other meat this day. Then she spake no more as at that time, for she
was loath to displease him. Then after supper they spake of one thing
and other.
With that came a squire and said : Madam, ye must purvey you
to-morn for a champion, for else your sister will have this castle and
also your lands, except ye can find a knight that will fight to-morn in
your quarrel against Pridam le Noire. Then she made sorrow and
said : Ah, Lord God, wherefore granted ye to hold my land, whereof
30 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
I should now be disherited without reason and right? And when Sir
Bors had heard her say thus, he said : I shall comfort you. Sir, said
she, I shall tell you there was here a king that hight Aniause, which
held all this land in his keeping. So it mishapped he loved a gentle-
woman a great deal elder than I. So took he her all this land to her
keeping, and all his men to govern ; and she brought up many evil cus-
toms whereby she put to death a great part of his kinsmen. And when
he saw that, he let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all
this land in my demesnes. But anon as that worthy king was dead, this
other lady began to war upon me, and hath destroyed many of my
men, and turned them against me, that I have well-nigh no man left me ;
and I have nought else but this high tower that she left me. And yet
she hath promised me to have this tower, without I can find a knight to
fight with her champion.
Now tell me, said Sir Bors, what is that Pridam le Noire? Sir, said
she, he is the most doubted man of this land. Now may ye send her
word that ye have found a knight that shall fight with that Pridam le
Noire in God's quarrel and yours. Then that lady was not a little glad,
and sent word that she was purveyed, and that night Bors had good
cheer ; but in no bed he would come, but laid him on the floor, nor
never would do otherwise till that he had met with the quest of the
Sangreal.
CHAPTER VIII. OF AN AD VISION WHICH SIR BORS HAD
THAT NIGHT, AND HOW HE FOUGHT AND OVERCAME
HIS ADVERSARY
~*\\ ND anon as he was asleep him befell a vision, that there came
/y\\ to him two birds, the one as white as a swan, and the other
I A was marvellous black ; but it was not so great as the other,
^L J\^ but in the likeness of a Raven. Then the white bird came
to him, and said : An thou wouldst give me meat and serve me I should
give thee all the riches of the world, and I shall make thee as fair and
as white as lam. So the white bird departed, and there came the black
bird to him, and said : An thou wolt, serve me to-morrow and have me
in no despite though I be black, for wit thou well that more availeth
my blackness than the other's whiteness. And then he departed.
And he had another vision : him thought that he came to a great
place which seemed a chapel, and there he found a chair set on the
Chap. 8 OF A VISION OF SIR BORS 31
left side, which was worm-eaten and feeble. And on the right hand
were two flowers like a lily, and the one would have benome the other's
whiteness, but a good man departed them that the one touched not the
other ; and then out of every flower came out many flowers, and fruit
great plenty. Then him thought the good man said : Should not he do
great folly that would let these two flowers perish for to succour the
rotten tree, that it fell not to the earth? Sir, said he, it seemeth me that
this wood might not avail. Now keep thee, said the good man, that
thou never see such adventure befall thee.
Then he awaked and made a sign of the cross in midst of the fore-
head, and so rose and clothed him. And there came the lady of the
place, and she saluted him, and he her again, and so went to a chapel
and heard their service. And there came a company of knights, that
the lady had sent for, to lead Sir Bors unto battle. Then asked he his
arms. And when he was armed she prayed him to take a little morsel
to dine. Nay, madam, said he, that shall I not do till I have done my
battle, by the grace of God. And so he leapt upon his horse, and
departed, all the knights and men with him. And as soon as these two
ladies met together, she which Bors should fight for complained her,
and said : Madam, ye have done me wrong to bereave me of my lands
that King Aniause gave me, and full loath I am there should be any
battle. Ye shall not choose, said the other lady, or else your knight
withdraw him.
Then there was the cry made, which party had the better of the two
knights, that his lady should rejoice all the land. Now departed the
one knight here, and the other there. Then they came together with
such a raundon that they pierced their shields and their hauberks, and
the spears flew in pieces, and they wounded either other sore. Then
hurtled they together, so that they fell both to the earth, and their
horses betwixt their legs ; and anon they arose, and set hands to their
swords, and smote each one other upon the heads, that they made great
wounds and deep, that the blood went out of their bodies. For there
found Sir Bors greater defence in that knight more than he weened.
For that Pridam was a passing good knight, and he wounded Sir Bors
full evil, and he him again ; but ever this Pridam held the stour in like
hard. That perceived Sir Bors, and suffered him till he was nigh
attaint. And then he ran upon him more and more, and the other went
back for dread of death. So in his withdrawing he fell upright, and
32 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
Sir Bors drew his helm so strongly that he rent it from his head, and
gave him great strokes with the flat of his sword upon the visage, and
bade him yield him or he should slay him. Then he cried him mercy
and said : Fair knight, for God's love slay me not, and I shall ensure
thee never to war against thy lady, but be alway toward her. Then
Bors let him be ; then the old lady fled with all her knights.
CHAPTER IX. HOW THE LADY WAS RETURNED TO
HER LANDS BY THE BATTLE OF SIR BORS, AND OF HIS
DEPARTING, AND HOW HE MET SIR LIONEL TAKEN
AND BEATEN WITH THORNS, AND ALSO OF A MAID
WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEVOURED
)O then came Bors to all those that held lands of his lady, and
said he should destroy them but if they did such service unto
her as longed to their lands. So they did their homage, and
they that would not were chased out of their lands. Then befell
that young lady to come to her estate again, by the mighty prowess of
Sir Bors de Ganis. So when all the country was well set in peace, then
Sir Bors took his leave and departed ; and she thanked him greatly,
and would have given him great riches, but he refused it.
Then he rode all that day till night, and came to an harbour to a
lady which knew him well enough, and made of him great joy. Upon
the morn, as soon as the day appeared, Bors departed from thence,
and so rode into a forest unto the hour of midday, and there befell him
a marvellous adventure. So he met at the departing of the two ways
two knights that led Lionel, his brother, all naked, bounden upon a
strong hackney, and his hands bounden to-fore his breast. Andeverych
of them held in his hands thorns wherewith they went beating him so
sore that the blood trailed down more than in an hundred places of his
body, so that he was all blood to- fore and behind, but he said never a
word ; as he which was great of heart he suffered all that ever they did
to him, as though he had felt none anguish.
Anon Sir Bors dressed him to rescue him that was his brother; and
so he looked upon the other side of him, and saw a knight which
brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have set her in the thickest
place of the forest for to have been the more surer out of the way from
them that sought him. And she which was nothing assured cried with
an high voice : Saint Mary succour your maid. And anon she espied
Chap. 10 HOW BORS RESCUED THE DAMOSEL 33
where Sir Bors came riding. And when she came nigh him she deemed
him a knight of the Round Table, whereof she hoped to have some
comfort; and then she conjured him: By the faith that he ought unto
Him in whose service thou art entered in, and for the faith ye owe
unto the high order of knighthood, and for the noble King Arthur's
sake, that I suppose made thee knight, that thou help me, and suffer
me not to be shamed of this knight. When Bors heard her say thus he
had so much sorrow there he nist not what to do. For if I let my brother
be in adventure he must be slain, and that would I not for all the earth.
And if I help not the maid she is shamed for ever, and also she shall
lose her virginity the which she shall never get again. Then lift he up
his eyes and said weeping : Fair sweet Lord Jesu Christ, whose liege
man I am, keep Lionel, my brother, that these knights slay him not, and
for pity of you, and for Mary's sake, I shall succour this maid.
CHAPTER X. HOW SIR BORS LEFT TO RESCUE HIS
BROTHER, AND RESCUED THE DAMOSEL; AND HOW IT
WAS TOLD HIM THAT LIONEL WAS DEAD
dressed he him unto the knight the which had the
gentlewoman, and then he cried : Sir knight, let your hand
off that maiden, or ye be but dead. And then he set down
the maiden, and was armed at all pieces save he lacked his
spear. Then he dressed his shield, and drew out his sword, and Bors
smote him so hard that it went through his shield and habergeon on
the left shoulder. And through great strength he beat him down to the
earth, and at the pulling out of Bors' spear there he swooned. Then
came Bors to the maid and said : How seemeth it you ? of this knight
ye be delivered at this time. Now sir, said she, I pray you lead me
thereas this knight had me. So shall I do gladly : and took the horse of
the wounded knight, and set the gentlewoman upon him, and so
brought her as she desired. Sir knight, said she, ye have better sped
than ye weened, for an I had lost my maidenhead, five hundred men
should have died for it. What knight was he that had you in the
forest ? By my faith, said she, he is my cousin. So wot I never with
what engine the fiend enchafed him, foryesterday he took me from my
father privily; for I, nor none of my father's men, mistrusted him not,
and if he had had my maidenhead he should have died for the sin, and
his body shamed and dishonoured for ever. Thus as she stood talk-
iv f
34 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
ing with him there came twelve knights seeking after her, and anon
she told them all how Bors had delivered her ; then they made great
joy, and besought him to come to her father, a great lord, and he should
be right welcome. Truly, said Bors, that may not be at this time, for I
have a great adventure to do in this country. So he commended them
unto God and departed.
Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel, his brother, by the trace of their
horses, thus he rode seeking a great while. Then he overtook a man
clothed in a religious clothing, and rode on a strong black horse blacker
than a berry, and said : Sir knight, what seek you ? Sir, said he, I seek
my brother that I saw within a while beaten with two knights. Ah,
Bors, discomfort you not, nor fall into no wanhope, for I shall tell you
tidings such as they be, for truly he is dead. Then showed he him a
new slain body lying in a bush, and it seemed him well that it was the
body of Lionel ; and then he made such a sorrow that he fell to the
earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while there. And when he came
to himself he said : Fair brother, sith the company of you and me is
departed shall I never have joy in my heart, and now He which I have
taken unto my master, He be my help. And when he had said thus he
took his body lightly in his arms, and put it upon the arson of his saddle.
And then he said to the man : Canst thou tell me unto some chapel
where that I may bury this body? Come on, said he, here is one fast
by ; and so long they rode till they saw a fair tower, and afore it there
seemed an old feeble chapel. And then they alighted both, and put
him into a tomb of marble.
CHAPTER XI. HOW SIR BORS TOLD HIS DREAM TO A
PRIEST, WHICH HE HAD DREAMED, AND OF THE
COUNSEL THAT THE PRIEST GAVE TO HIM
*OW leave we him here, said the good man, and go we to
our harbour till to-morrow ; we will come here again to do
him service. Sir, said Bors, be ye a priest ? Yea forsooth,
said he. Then I pray you tell me a dream that befell to me
the last night. Say on, said he. Then he began so much to tell him of
the great bird in the forest, and after told him of his birds, one white,
another black, and of the rotten tree, and of the white flowers. Sir, I
shall tell you a part now, and the other deal to-morrow. The white
fowl betokeneth a gentlewoman, fair and rich, which loved thee
Chap. 1 1 SIR BORS TELLS HIS DREAM 35
paramours, and hath loved thee long ; and if thou warn her love she
shall go die anon, if thou have no pity on her. That signifieth the great
bird, the which shall make thee to warn her. Now for no fear that thou
hast, ne for no dread that thou hast of God, thou shalt not warn her,
but thou wouldst not do it for to be holden chaste, for to conquer the
loos of the vain glory of the world ; for that shall befall thee now an
thou warn her, that Launcelot, the good knight, thy cousin, shall die.
And therefore men shall now say that thou art a manslayer, both of
thy brother, Sir Lionel, and of thy cousin, Sir Launcelot du Lake, the
which thou mightest have saved and rescued easily, but thou weenedst
to rescue a maid which pertaineth nothing to thee. Now look thou
whether it had been greater harm of thy brother's death, or else to
have suffered her to have lost her maidenhood. Then asked he him :
Hast thou heard the tokens of thy dream the which I have told to you?
Yea forsooth, said Sir Bors, all your exposition and declaring of my
dream I have well understood and heard. Then said the man in this
black clothing : Then is it in thy default if Sir Launcelot, thy cousin,
die. Sir, said Bors, that were me loath, for wit ye well there is nothing
in the world but I had liefer do it than to see my lord, Sir Launcelot du
Lake, to die in my default. Choose ye now the one or the other, said
the good man.
And then he led Sir Bors into an high tower, and there he found
knights and ladies : those ladies said he was welcome, and so they
unarmed him. And when he was in his doublet men brought him a
mantle furred with ermine, and put it about him ; and then they made
him such cheer that he had forgotten all his sorrow and anguish, and
only set his heart in these delights and dainties, and took no thought
more for his brother, Sir Lionel, neither of Sir Launcelot du Lake, his
cousin. And anon came out of a chamber to him the fairest lady than
ever he saw, and more richer beseen than ever he saw Queen Guenever
or any other estate. Lo, said they, Sir Bors, here is the lady unto whom
we owe all our service, and I trow she be the richest lady and the fairest
of all the world, and the which loveth you best above all other knights,
for she will have no knight but you. And when he understood that
language he was abashed. Not for then she saluted him, and he her;
and then they sat down together and spake of many things, in so much
that she besought him to be her love, for she had loved him above all
earthly men, and she should make him richer than ever was man of
36 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
his age. When Bors understood her words he was right evil at ease,
which in no manner would not break chastity, so wist not he how to
answer her.
CHAPTER XII. HOW THE DEVIL IN A WOMAN'S LIKE-
NESS WOULD HAVE HAD SIR BORS TO HAVE LAIN BY
HER, AND HOW BY GOD'S GRACE HE ESCAPED
LLAS, said she, Bors, shall ye not do my will? Madam, said Bors,
there is no lady in the world whose will I will fulfil as of
this thing, for my brother lieth dead which was slain right
late. Ah Bors, said she, I have loved you long for the great
beauty I have seen in you, and the great hardiness that I have heard of
you, that needs ye must lie by me this night, and therefore I pray you
grant it me. Truly, said he, I shall not do it in no manner wise. Then
she made him such sorrow as though she would have died. Well Bors,
said she, unto this have ye brought me, nigh to mine end. And there-
with she took him by the hand, and bade him behold her. And ye
shall see how I shall die for your love. Ah, said then he, that shall I
never see.
Then she departed and went up into an high battlement, and led
with her twelve gentlewomen ; and when they were above, one of the
gentlewomen cried, and said : Ah, Sir Bors, gentle knight have mercy
on us all, and suffer my lady to have her will, and if ye do not we must
suffer death with our lady, for to fall down off this high tower, and if ye
suffer us thus to die for so little a thing all ladies and gentlewomen will
say of you dishonour. Then looked he upward, they seemed all ladies
of great estate, and richly and well beseen. Then had he of them great
pity; not for that he was uncounselled in himself that liefer he had they
all had lost their souls than he his, and with that they fell adown all at
once unto the earth. And when he saw that, he was all abashed, and
had thereof great marvel. With that he blessed his body and his
visage. And anon he heard a great noise and a great cry, as though
all the fiends of hell had been about him ; and therewith he saw neither
tower, nor lady, nor gentlewoman, nor no chapel where he brought his
brother to. Then held he up both his hands to the heaven, and said :
Fair Father God, I am grievously escaped ; and then he took his arms
and his horse and rode on his way.
Then he heard a clock smite on his right hand ; and thither he came
Chap. 13 SIR BORS FINDS AN HOLY ABBOT 37
to an abbey on his right hand, closed with high walls, and there was let
in. Then they supposed that he was one of the quest of the Sangreal,
so they led him into a chamber and unarmed him. Sirs, said Sir Bors,
if there be any holy man in this house I pray you let me speak with him.
Then one of them led him unto the Abbot, which was in a chapel. And
then Sir Bors saluted him, and he him again. Sir, said Bors, I am a
knight-errant ; and told him all the adventure which he had seen. Sir
Knight, said the Abbot, I wot not what ye be, for I weened never that
a knight of your age might have been so strong in the grace of our Lord
Jesu Christ. Not for then ye shall go unto your rest, for I will not counsel
you this day, it is too late, and to-morrow I shall counsel you as I can.
CHAPTER XIII. OF THE HOLY COMMUNICATION OF
AN ABBOT TO SIR BORS, AND HOW THE ABBOT
COUNSELLED HIM
ND that night was Sir Bors served richly; and on the morn early
he heard mass, and the Abbot came to him, and bade him
good morrow, and Bors to him again. And then he told him
, he was a fellow of the quest of the Sangreal, and how he
had charge of the holy man to eat bread and water. Then said the
Abbot : Our Lord Jesu Christ showed him unto you in the likeness of
a soul that suffered great anguish for us, since He was put upon the
cross, and bled His heart-blood for mankind : there was the token and
the likeness of the Sangreal that appeared afore you, for the blood that
the great fowl bled revived the chickens from death to life. And by
the bare tree is betokened the world which is naked and without fruit
but if it come of Our Lord. Also the lady for whom ye fought for, and
King Aniause which was lord there-to-fore, betokeneth Jesu Christ
which is the King of the world. And that ye fought with the champion
for the lady, this it betokeneth : for when ye took the battle for the
lady, by her shall ye understand the new law of Jesu Christ and Holy
Church ; and by the other lady ye shall understand the old law and
the fiend, which all day warreth against Holy Church, therefore ye
did your battle with right. For ye be Jesu Christ's knights, therefore
ye ought to be defenders of Holy Church. And by the black bird might
ye understand Holy Church, which sayeth I am black, but he is
fair. And by the white bird might men understand the fiend, and I
shall tell you how the swan is white without- forth, and black within : it
38 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
is hypocrisy which is without yellow or pale, and seemeth without-
forth the servants of Jesu Christ, but they be within so horrible of filth
and sin, and beguile the world evil. Also when the fiend appeared to
thee in likeness of a man of religion, and blamed thee that thou left thy
brother for a lady, so led thee where thou seemed thy brother was
slain, but he is yet alive ; and all was for to put thee in error, and bring
thee unto wanhope and lechery, for he knew thou we re tender hearted,
and all was for thou shouldst not find the blessed adventure of the San-
greal. And the third fowl betokeneth the strong battle against the fair
ladies which were all devils. Also the dry tree and the white lily : the
dry tree betokeneth thy brother Lionel, which is dry without virtue,
and therefore many men ought to call him the rotten tree, and the
worm-eaten tree, for he is a murderer and doth contrary to the order
of knighthood. And the two white flowers signify two maidens, the
one is a knight which was wounded the other day, and the other is the
gentlewoman which ye rescued ; and why the other flower drew nigh
the other, that was the knight which would have defouled her and
himself both. And Sir Bors.yehad been a great fool and in great peril
for to have seen those two flowers perish for to succour the rotten tree,
for an they had sinned together they had been damned ; and for that
ye rescued them both, men might call you a very knight and servant of
Jesu Christ.
CHAPTER XIV. HOW SIR BORS MET WITH HIS BROTHER
SIR LIONEL, AND HOW SIR LIONEL WOULD HAVE
SLAIN SIR BORS
^ — I I — ^HEN went Sir Bors from thence and commended the Abbot
unto God. And then he rode all that day, and harboured
with an old lady. And on the morn he rode to a castle in a
valley, and there he met with a yeoman going a great pace
toward a forest. Say me, said Sir Bors, canst thou tell me of any
adventure ? Sir, said he, here shall be under this castle a great and/
a marvellous tournament. Of what folks shall it be? said Sir Bors.
The Earl of Plains shall be in the one party, and the lady's nephew of
Hervin on the other party. Then Bors thought to be there if he might
meet with his brother Sir Lionel, or any other of his fellowship, which
were in the quest of the Sangreal. And then he turned to an hermitage
that was in the entry of the forest.
Chap. 14 HOW SIR BORS MET SIR LIONEL 39
And when he was come thither he found there Sir Lionel, his brother,
which sat all armed at the entry of the chapel door for to abide there
harbour till on the morn that the tournament shall be. And when Sir
Bors saw him he had great joy of him, that it were marvel to tell of his
joy. And then he alighted off his horse, and said : Fair sweet brother,
when came ye hither ? Anon as Lionel saw him he said : Ah Bors, ye
may not make none avaunt, but as for you I might have been slain ;
when ye saw two knights leading me away beating me, ye left me for
to succour a gentlewoman, and suffered me in peril of death ; for never
erst ne did no brother to another so great an untruth. And for that
misdeed now I ensure you but death, for well have ye deserved it;
therefore keep thee from henceforward, and that shall ye find as soon
as I am armed. When Sir Bors understood his brother's wrath he
kneeled down to the earth and cried him mercy, holding up both his
hands, and prayed him to forgive him his evil will. Nay, said Lionel,
that shall never be an I may have the higher hand, that I make mine
avow to God, thou shalt have death for it, for it were pity ye lived any
longer.
Right so he went in and took his harness, and mounted upon his horse,
and came to-fore him and said : Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do
to thee as I would to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest knight that
ever came out of so worthy an house as was King Bors de Ganis which
was our father, therefore start upon thy horse, and so shall ye be most
at your advantage. And but if ye will I will run upon you thereas ye
stand upon foot, and so the shame shall be mine and the harm yours,
but of that shame ne reck I nought.
When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or else to die,
henistwhatto do ; then his heart counselled him not thereto, inasmuch
as Lionel was born or he, wherefore he ought to bear him reverence ;
yet kneeled he down afore Lionel's horse's feet, and said : Fair sweet
brother, have mercy upon me and slay me not, and have in remem-
brance the great love which ought to be between us twain. What Sir
Bors said to Lionel he rought not, for the fiend had brought him in such
a will that he should slay him. Then when Lionel saw he would none
other, and that he would not have risen to give him battle, he rashed
over him so that he smote Bors with his horse, feet upward, to the earth,
and hurt him so sore that he swooned of distress, the which he felt in
himself to have died without confession. So when Lionel saw this, he
40 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
alighted off his horse to have smitten off his head. And so he took him
by the helm, and would have rent it from his head. Then came the
hermit running unto him, which was a good man and of great age, and
well had heard all the words that were between them, and so fell down
upon Sir Bors.
CHAPTER XV. HOW SIR COLGREVANCE FOUGHT
AGAINST SIR LIONEL FOR TO SAVE SIR BORS, AND
HOW THE HERMIT WAS SLAIN
P* — I | — sjHEN he said to Lionel : Ah gentle knight, have mercy upon
me and on thy brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt be dead
of sin, and that were sorrowful, for he is one of the worthiest
knights of the world, and of the best conditions. So God help
me, said Lionel, sir priest, but if ye flee from him I shall slay you, and
he shall never the sooner be quit. Certes, said the good man, I have
liefer ye slay me than him, for my death shall not be great harm, not
half so much as of his. Well, said Lionel, I am greed ; and set his hand
to his sword and smote him so hard that his headyede backward. Not
for that he restrained him of his evil will, but took his brother by the
helm, and unlaced it to have strjicken off his head, and had slain him
without fail. But so it happed, Colgrevance, a fellow of the Round
Table, came at that time thither as Our Lord's will was. And when
he saw the good man slain he marvelled much what it might be. And
then he beheld Lionel would have slain his brother, and knew Sir Bors
which he loved right well. Then stert he down and took Lionel by the
shoulders, and drew him strongly aback from Bors, and said : Lionel,
will ye slay your brother, the worthiest knight of the world one ? and
that should no good man suffer. Why, said Lionel, will ye let me ?
therefore if ye entermete you in this I shall slay you, and him after.
Why, said Colgrevance, is this sooth that ye will slay him? Slay him
will I, said he, whoso say the contrary, for he hath done so much
against me that he hath well deserved it. And so ran upon him, and
would have smitten him through the head, and Sir Colgrevance ran
betwixt them, and said : An ye be so hardy to do so more, we two shall
meddle together.
When Lionel understood his words he took his shield afore him,
and asked him what that he was. And he told him, Colgrevance, one
of his fellows. Then Lionel defied him, and gave him a great stroke
Chap. 16 HOW SIR LIONEL SLEW SIR COLGREVANCE 41
through the helm. Then he drew his sword, for he was a passing good
knight, and defended him right manfully. So long dured the battle
that Bors rose up all anguishly, and beheld howColgrevance, the good
knight, fought with his brother for his quarrel ; then was he full sorry
and heavy, and thought if Colgrevance slew him that was his brother
he should never have joy ; and if his brother slew Colgrevance the
shame should ever be mine. Then would he have risen to have
departed them, but he had not so much might to stand on foot; so he
abode him so long till Colgrevance had the worse, for Lionel was of
great chivalry and right hardy, for he had pierced the hauberk and
the helm, that he abode but death, for he had lost much of his blood
that it was marvel that he might stand upright. Then beheld he Sir
Bors which sat dressing him upward and said : Ah, Bors, why come ye
not to cast me out of peril of death, wherein I have put me to succour
you which were right now nigh the death ? Certes, said Lionel, that
shall not avail you, for none of you shall bear others warrant, but that
ye shall die both of my hand. When Bors heard that, he did so much,
he rose and put on his helm. Then perceived he first the hermit-priest
which was slain, then made he a marvellous sorrow upon him.
CHAPTER XVI. HOW SIR LIONEL SLEW SIR COLGRE-
VANCE, AND HOW AFTER HE WOULD HAVE SLAIN
SIR BORS
\- — | | — >JHEN oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors : Why will ye let
me die here for your sake ? if it please you that I die for you
the death, it will please me the better for to save a worthy
man. With that word Sir Lionel smote off the helm from his
head. Then Colgrevance saw that he might not escape ; then he said :
Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone have mercy upon my soul, for
such sorrow that my heart sufFereth for goodness, and for alms deed
that I would have done here, be to me aligement of penance unto my
soul's health. At these words Lionel smote him so sore that he bare
him to the earth. So he had slain Colgrevance he ran upon his brother
as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop.
And he that was full of humility prayed him for God's love to leave this
battle : For an it befell, fair brother, that I slew you or ye me, we should
be dead of that sin. Never God me help but if I have on you mercy, an
I may have the better hand. Then drew Bors his sword, all weeping,
iv g
42 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI
and said : Fair brother, God knoweth mine intent. Ah, fair brother,
ye have done full evil this day to slay such an holy priest the which
never trespassed. Also ye have slain a gentle knight, and one of our
fellows. And well wot ye that I am not afeard of you greatly, but I
dread the wrath of God, and this is an unkindly war, therefore God
show miracle upon us both. Now God have mercy upon me though I
defend my life against my brother : with that Bors lift up his hand and
would have smitten his brother.
CHAPTER XVII. HOW THERE CAME A VOICE WHICH
CHARGED SIR BORS TO TOUCH HIM NOT, AND OF A
CLOUD THAT CAME BETWEEN THEM
i ND then he heard a voice that said : Flee Bors, and touch him
not, or else thou shalt slay him. Right so alighted a cloud
betwixt them in likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame,
, that both their two shields brent. Then were they sore
afraid, that they fell both to the earth, and lay there a great while in a
swoon. And when they came to themself, Bors saw that his brother
had no harm; then he held up both his hands, for he dread God had
taken vengeance upon him. With that he heard a voice say : Bors, go
hence, and bear thy brother no longer fellowship, but take thy way
anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale abideth thee there. Then he
said to his brother : Fair sweet brother, forgive me for God's love all
that I have trespassed unto you. Then he answered : God forgive it
thee and I do gladly.
So Sir Bors departed from him and rode the next way to the sea.
And at the last by fortune he came to an abbey which was nigh the
sea. That night Bors rested him there ; and in his sleep there came a
voice to him and bade him go to the sea. Then he stert up and made a
sign of the cross in the midst of his forehead, and took his harness, and
made ready his horse, and mounted upon him; and at a broken wall
he rode out, and rode so long till that he came to the sea. And on the
strand he found a ship covered all with white samite, and he alighted,
and betook him to Jesu Christ. And as soon as he entered into the
ship, the ship departed into the sea, and went so fast that him seemed
the ship went flying, but it was soon dark so that he might know no
man, and so he slept till it was day. Then he awaked, and saw in
midst of the ship a knight lie all armed save his helm. Then knew he
Chap. 17 SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR BORS 43
that it was Sir Percivale of Wales, and then he made of him right great
joy ; but Sir Percivale was abashed of him, and he asked him what he
was. Ah, fair sir, said Bors, know ye me not? Certes, said he, I marvel
howye came hither, but if Our Lord brought ye hither Himself. Then
Sir Bors smiled and did off his helm. Then Percivale knew him, and
either made great joy of other, that it was marvel to hear. Then Bors
told him how he came into the ship, and by whose admonishment ; and
either told other of their temptations, as ye have heard to-forehand.
So went they downward in the sea, one while backward, another
while forward, and everych comforted other, and oft were in their
prayers. Then said Sir Percivale : We lack nothing but Galahad, the
good knight.
AND THUS ENDETH THE SIXTEENTH BOOK, WHICH IS
OF SIR GAWAINE, ECTOR DE MARIS, AND SIR BORS DE
GANIS, AND SIR PERCIVALE. AND HERE FOLLOWETH
THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK, WHICH IS OF THE NOBLE
KNIGHT SIR GALAHAD
BOOK XVII
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUGHT AT A
TOURNAMENT, AND HOW HE WAS KNOWN OF SIR
GAWAINE AND SIR ECTOR DE MARIS
'O W saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale
from the twenty knights, he yede tho into a waste forest
wherein he rode many journeys; and he found many
adventures the which he brought to an end, whereof the
story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way to the sea on a
day, and it befell as he passed by a castle where was a wonder tourna-
ment, but they without had done so much that they within were put to
the worse, yet were they within good knights enough. When Gala-
had saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men slew
them at the entry of the castle, then he thought to help them, and put
a spear forth and smote the first that he fell to the earth, and the spear
brake to pieces. Then he drew his sword and smote thereas they were
thickest, and so he did wonderful deeds of arms that all they mar-
velled. Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris were
with the knights without. But when they espied the white shield with
the red cross the one said to the other : Yonder is the good knight, Sir
Galahad, the haut prince : now he should be a great fool which should
meet with him to fight. So by ad venture he came by Sir Gawaine, and he
smote him so hard that he clave his helm and the coif of iron unto his
head, so that Gawaine fell to the earth ; but the stroke was so great
that it slanted down to the earth and carved the horse's shoulder
in two.
When Ector saw Gawaine down he drew him aside, and thought it
no wisdom for to abide him, and also for natural love, that he was his
uncle. Thus through his great hardiness he beat aback all the knights
without. And then they within came out and chased them all about.
But when Galahad saw there would none turn again he stole away
privily, so that none wist where he was become. Now by my head,
said Gawaine to Ector, now are the wonders true that were said of
Chap. 2 HOW GALAHAD RODE WITH A DAMOSEL 45
Launcelot du Lake, that the sword which stuck in the stone should
give me such a buffet that I would not have it for the best castle in this
world ; and soothly now it is proved true, for never ere had I such a
stroke of man's hand. Sir, said Ector, meseemeth your quest is done.
And yours is not done, said Gawaine, but mine is done, I shall seek no
further. Then Gawaine was borne into a castle and unarmed him,
and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech found that he might live, and to
be whole within a month. Thus Gawaine and Ector abode together,
for Sir Ector would not away till Gawaine were whole.
And the good knight, Galahad, rode so long till he came that night to
the Castle of Carboneck ; and it befell him thus that he was benighted in
an hermitage. So the good man was fain when he saw he was a knight-
errant. Tho when they were at rest there came a gentlewoman
knocking at the door, and called Galahad, and so the good man came
to the door to wit what she would. Then she called the hermit : Sir
Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that would speak with the knight which is
with you. Then the good man awaked Galahad, and bade him : Arise,
and speak with a gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need of you.
Then Galahad went to her and asked her what she would. Galahad,
said she, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse and follow
me, for I shall show you within these three days the highest adventure
that ever any knight saw. Anon Galahad armed him, and took his
horse, and commended him to God, and bade the gentlewoman go,
and he would follow thereas she liked.
CHAPTER II. HOW SIR GALAHAD RODE WITH A DAMO-
SEL, AND CAME TO THE SHIP WHEREAS SIR BORS AND
SIR PERCIVALE WERE IN
)O she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till that she
came to the sea, the which was called Collibe. And at the night
they came unto a castle in a valley, closed with a running
water, and with strong walls and high ; and so she entered into
the castle with Galahad, and there had he great cheer, for the lady
of that castle was the damosel's lady. So when he was unarmed, then
said the damosel : Madam, shall we abide here all this day? Nay, said
she, but till he hath dined and till he hath slept a little. So he ate and
slept a while till that the maid called him, and armed him by torch-
light. And when the maid was horsed and he both, the lady took
46 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
Galahad a fair child and rich; and so they departed from the castle till
they came to the seaside ; and there they found the ship where Bors
and Percivale were in, the which cried on the ship's board : Sir Gala-
had, ye be welcome, we have abiden you long. And when he heard
them he asked them what they were. Sir, said she, leave your horse
here, and I shall leave mine ; and took their saddles and their bridles
with them, and made a cross on them, and so entered into the ship.
And the two knights received them both with great joy, and every ch
knew other; and so the wind arose, and drove them through the sea
in a marvellous pace. And within a while it dawned.
Then did Galahad off his helm and his sword, and asked of his fel-
lows from whence came that fair ship. Truly, said they, ye wot as well
as we, but of God's grace ; and then they told everych to other of all
their hard adventures, and of their great temptations. Truly, said
Galahad, ye are much bounden to God, for ye have escaped great
adventures ; and had not the gentlewoman been I had not come here,
for as for you I weened never to have found you in these strange
countries. Ah Galahad, said Bors, if Launcelot, your father, were
here then were we well at ease, for then meseemed we failed
nothing. That may not be, said Galahad, but if it pleased Our Lord.
By then the ship went from the land of Logris, and by adventure it
arrived up betwixt two rocks passing great and marvellous ; but there
they might not land, for there was a swallow of the sea, save there was
another ship, and upon it they might go without danger. Go we thither,
said the gentlewoman, and there shall we see adventures, for so is
Our Lord's will. And when they came thither they found the ship
rich enough, but they found neither man nor woman therein. But they
found in the end of the ship two fair letters written, which said a dread-
ful word and a marvellous: Thou man, which shall enter into this
ship, beware thou be in steadfast belief, for I am Faith, and therefore
beware how thou enterest, for an thou fail I shall not help thee. Then
said the gentlewoman : Percivale, wot ye what I am ? Certes, said he,
nay, to my witting. Wit ye well, said she, that I am thy sister, which
am daughter of King Pellinore, and therefore wit ye well ye are the
man in the world that I most love; and if ye be not in perfect belief of
Jesu Christ enter not in no manner of wise, for then should ye perish
the ship, for he is so perfect he will suffer no sinner in him. When
Percivale understood that she was his very sister he was inwardly
Chap. 3 HOW GALAHAD ENTERED THE SHIP 47
glad, and said : Fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be a miscrea-
ture or an untrue knight there shall I perish.
CHAPTER III. HOW SIR GALAHAD ENTERED INTO
THE SHIP, AND OF A FAIR BED THEREIN, WITH OTHER
MARVELLOUS THINGS, AND OF A SWORD
"N the meanwhile Galahad blessed him, and entered therein; and
then next the gentlewoman, and then Sir Bors and Sir Percivale.
And when they were in, it was so marvellous fair and rich that
• they marvelled ; and in midst of the ship was a fair bed, and
Galahad went thereto, and found there a crown of silk. And at the
feet was a sword, rich and fair, and it was drawn out of the sheath half
a foot and more ; and the sword was of divers fashions, and the pom-
mel was of stone, and there was in him all manner of colours that any
man might find, and everych of the colours had divers virtues ; and
the scales of the haft were of two ribs of divers beasts, the one beast
was a serpent which was conversant in Calidone, and is called the
Serpent of the fiend ; and the bone of him is of such a virtue that there
is no hand that handleth him shall never be weary nor hurt. And the
other beast is a fish which is not right great, and haunteth the flood of
Euphrates ; and that fish is called Ertanax, and his bones be of such a
manner of kind that who that handleth them shall have so much will
that he shall never be weary, and he shall not think on joy nor sorrow
that he hath had, but only that thing that he beholdeth before him.
And as for this sword there shall never man begriphim at the handles
but one; but he shall pass all other. In the name of God, said Perci-
vale, I shall assay to handle it. So he set his hand to the sword, but
he might not begrip it. By my faith, said he, now have I failed. Bors
set his hand thereto and failed.
Then Galahad beheld the sword and saw letters like blood that
said : Let see who shall assay to draw me out of my sheath, but if he
be more hardier than any other ; and who that draweth me, wit ye
well that he shall never fail of shame of his body, or to be wounded to
the death. By my faith, said Galahad, I would draw this sword out of
the sheath, but the offending is so great that I shall not set my hand
thereto. Now, sirs, said the gentlewoman, wit ye well that the draw-
ing of this sword is warned to all men save all only to you. Also this
ship arrived in the realm of Logris ; and that time was deadly war
48 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
between King Labor, which was father unto the maimed king, and
King Hurlame, which was a Saracen. But then was he newly chris-
tened, so that men held him afterward one of the wittiest men of the
world. And so upon a day it befell that King Labor and King Hur-
lame had assembled their folk upon the sea where this ship was
arrived ; and there King Hurlame was discomfit, and his men slain ;
and he was afeard to be dead, and fled to his ship, and there found
this sword and drew it, and came out and found King Labor, the man
in the world of all Christendom in whom was then the greatest faith.
And when King Hurlame saw King Labor he dressed this sword, and
smote him upon the helm so hard that he clave him and his horse to the
earth with the first stroke of his sword. And it was in the realm of
Logris ; and so befell great pestilence and great harm to both realms.
For sithen increased neither corn, nor grass, nor well-nigh no fruit,
nor in the water was no fish; wherefore men call it the lands of the
two marches, the waste land, for that dolorous stroke. And when King
Hurlame saw this sword so carving, he turned again to fetch the scab-
bard, and so came into this ship and entered, and put up the sword in
the sheath. And as soon as he had done it he fell down dead afore the
bed. Thus was the sword proved, that none ne drew it but he were
dead or maimed. So lay he there till a maiden came into the ship and
cast him out, for there was no man so hardy of the world to enter into
that ship for the defence.
CHAPTER IV. OF THE MARVELS OF THE SWORD AND
OF THE SCABBARD
then beheld they the scabbard, it seemed to be of a ser-
pent's skin, and thereon were letters of gold and silver.
And the girdle was but poorly to come to, and not able to
sustain such a rich sword. And the letters said : He which
shall wield me ought to be more harder than any other, if he bear me
as truly as me ought to be borne. For the body of him which I ought
to hang by, he shall not be shamed in no place while he is girt with
this girdle, nor never none be so hardy to do away this girdle ; for it
ought not be done away but by the hands of a maid, and that she be a
king's daughter and queen's, and she must be a maid all the days of her
life, both in will and in deed. And if she break her virginity she shall
die the most villainous death that ever died any woman. Sir, said
Chap. 4 OF THE MARVELS OF THE SWORD 49
Percivale, turn this sword that we may see what is on the other side.
And it was red as blood, with black letters as any coal, which said :
He that shall praise me most, most shall he find me to blame at a great
need ; and to whom I should be most debonair shall I be most felon, and
that shall be at one time.
Fair brother, said she to Percivale, it befell after a forty year after
the passion of Jesu Christ that Nacien, the brother-in-law of King
Mordrains, was borne into a town more than fourteen days' journey
from his country, by the commandment of Our Lord, into an isle, into
the parts of the West, that men cleped the Isle of Turnance. So befell
it that he found this ship at the entry of a rock, and he found the bed
and this sword as we have heard now. Not for then he had not so much
hardiness to draw it ; and there he dwelled an eight days, and at the
ninth day there fell a great wind which departed him out of the isle,
and brought him to another isle by a rock, and there he found the
greatest giant that ever man might see. Therewith came that horrible
giant to slay him ; and then he looked about him and might not flee,
and he had nothing to defend him with. So he ran to his sword, and
when he saw it naked he praised it much, and then he shook it, and
therewith he brake it in the midst. Ah, said Nacien, the thing that I
most praised ought I now most to blame, and therewith he threw the
pieces of his sword over his bed. And after he leapt over the board to
fight with the giant, and slew him.
And anon he entered into the ship again, and the wind arose, and
drove him through the sea, that by adventure he came to another ship
where King Mordrains was, which had been tempted full evil with a
fiend in the Port of Perilous Rock. And when that one saw the other
they made great joy of other, and either told other of their adventure,
and how the sword failed him at his most need. When Mordrains saw
the sword he praised it much : But the breaking was not to do but by
wickedness of thy selfward, for thou art in some sin. And there he
took the sword, and set the pieces together, and they soldered as fair
as ever they were to-fore ; and there put he the sword in the sheath,
and laid it down on the bed. Then heard they a voice that said : Go
out of this ship a little while, and enter into the other, for dread ye fall
in deadly sin, for and ye be found in deadly sin ye may not escape but
perish : and so they went into the other ship. And as Nacien went
over the board he was smitten with a sword on the right foot, that he
iv h
5o LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
fell down noseling to the ship's board ; and therewith he said : O God,
how am I hurt. And then there came a voice and said : Take thou that
for thy forfeit that thou didst in drawing of this sword, therefore thou
receivest a wound, for thou were never worthy to handle it, as the
writing maketh mention. In the name of God, said Galahad, ye are
right wise of these works.
CHAPTER V. HOW KING PELLES WAS SMITTEN
THROUGH BOTH THIGHS BECAUSE HE DREW THE
SWORD, AND OTHER MARVELLOUS HISTORIES
)IR, said she, there was a king that hight Pelles, the maimed
king. And while he might ride he supported much Christen-
dom and Holy Church. So upon a day he hunted in a wood of
his which lasted unto the sea; and at the last he lost his hounds
and his knights save only one : and there he and his knight went till
that they came toward Ireland, and there he found the ship. And
when he saw the letters and understood them, yet he entered, for he
was right perfect of his life, but his knight had none hardiness to enter ;
and there found he this sword, and drew it out as much as ye may see.
So therewith entered a spear wherewith he was smitten him through
both the thighs, and never sith might he be healed, nor nought shall
to-fore we come to him. Thus, said she, was not King Pelles, your
grandsire, maimed for his hardiness? In the name of God, damosel,
said Galahad.
So they went toward the bed to behold all about it, and above the
head there hung two swords. Also there were two spindles which
were as white as any snow, and other that were as red as blood, and
other above green as any emerald : of these three colours were the
spindles, and of natural colour within, and without any painting.
These spindles, said the damosel, were when sinful Eve came to
gather fruit, for which Adam and she were put out of paradise, she took
with her the bough on which the apple hung on. Then perceived she
that the branch was fair and green, and she remembered her the loss
which came from the tree. Then she thought to keep the branch as
long as she might. And for she had no coffer to keep it in, she put it
in the earth. So by the will of Our Lord the branch grew to a great
tree within a little while, and was as white as any snow, branches,
boughs, and leaves : that was a token a maiden planted it. But after
Chap. 6 OF SOLOMON AND DAVID'S SWORD 51
God came to Adam, and bade him know his wife fleshly as nature
required. So lay Adam with his wife under the same tree ; and anon
the tree which was white was full green as any grass, and all that came
out of it ; and in the same time that they medled together there was
Abel begotten : thus was the tree long of green colour. And so it befell
many days after, under the same tree Caym slew Abel, whereof befell
great marvel. For anon as Abel had received the death under the
green tree, it lost the green colour and became red ; and that was in
tokeningof the blood. And anon all the plants died thereof, but the tree
grew and waxed marvellously fair, and it was the fairest tree and the
most delectable that any man might behold and see ; and so died the
plants that grew out of it to-fore that Abel was slain under it. So long
dured the tree till that Solomon, King David's son, reigned, and held
the land after his father. This Solomon was wise, and knew all the
virtues of stones and trees, and so he knew the course of the stars, and
many other divers things. This Solomon had an evil wife, where-
through he weened that there had been no good woman, and so he
despised them in his books. So answered a voice him once : Solomon,
if heaviness come to a man by a woman, ne reck thou never ; for yet
shall there come a woman whereof there shall come greater joy to
man an hundred times more than this heaviness giveth sorrow ; and
that woman shall be born of thy lineage. Tho when Solomon heard
these words he held himself but a fool, and the truth he perceived by
old books. Also the Holy Ghost showed him the coming of the glori-
ous Virgin Mary. Then asked he of the voice, if it should be in the
yerde of his lineage. Nay, said the voice, but there shall come a man
which shall be a maid, and the last of your blood, and he shall be as
good a knight as Duke Josua, thy brother-in-law.
CHAPTER VI. HOW SOLOMON TOOK DAVID'S SWORD
BY THE COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, AND OF OTHER MAT-
TERS MARVELLOUS
'OW have I certified thee of that thou stoodest in doubt.
Then was Solomon glad that there should come any such
of his lineage ; but ever he marvelled and studied who that
should be, and what his name might be. His wife perceived
that he studied, and thought she would know it at some season ; and
so she waited her time, and asked of him the cause of his studying, and
52 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
there he told her altogether how the voice told him. Well, said she, I
shall let make a ship of the best wood and most durable that men may
find. So Solomon sent for all the carpenters of the land, and the best.
And when they had made the ship the lady said to Solomon : Sir, said
she, since it is so that this knight ought to pass all knights of chivalry
which have been to- fore him and shall come after him , moreover I shall
tell you, said she, ye shall go into Our Lord's temple, where is King
David's sword, your father, the which is the marvelloust and the sharp-
est that ever was taken in any knight's hand. Therefore take that, and
take off the pommel, and thereto make ye a pommel of precious stones,
that it be so subtly made that no man perceive it but that they be all
one ; and after make there an hilt so marvellously and wonderly that
no man may know it ; and after make a marvellous sheath. And when
ye have made all this I shall let make a girdle thereto, such as shall
please me.
All this King Solomon did let make as she devised, both the ship
and all the remnant. And when the ship was ready in the sea to sail,
the lady let make a great bed and marvellous rich, and set her upon
the bed's head, covered with silk, and laid the sword at the feet, and
the girdles were of hemp, and therewith the king was angry. Sir, wit
ye well, said she, that I have none so high a thing which were worthy
to sustain so high a sword, and a maid shall bring other knights thereto,
but I wot not when it shall be, nor what time. And there she let make
a covering to the ship, of cloth of silk that should never rot for no man-
ner of weather. Yet went that lady and made a carpenter to come to
the tree which Abel was slain under. Now, said she, carve me out of
this tree as much wood as will make me a spindle. Ah madam, said
he, this is the tree the which our first mother planted. Do it, said she,
or else I shall destroy thee. Anon as he began to work there came out
drops of blood ; and then would he have left, but she would not suffer
him, and so he took away as much wood as might make a spindle : and
so she made him to take as much of the green tree and of the white
tree. And when these three spindles were shapen she made them to
be fastened upon the selar of the bed. When Solomon saw this, he
said to his wife : Ye have done marvellously, for though all the world
were here right now, he could not devise wherefore all this was made,
but Our Lord Himself; and thou that hast done it wottest not what it
shall betoken. Now let it be, said she, for ye shall hear tidings sooner
Chap. 7 A TALE OF SOLOMON 53
than ye ween. Now shall ye hear a wonderful tale of King Solomon
and his wife.
CHAPTER VII. A WONDERFUL TALE OF KING SOLO-
MON AND HIS WIFE
night lay Solomon before the ship with little fellow-
ship. And when he was asleep him thought there came
from heaven a great company of angels, and alighted into
the ship, and took water which was brought by an angel, in
a vessel of silver, and sprent all the ship. And after he came to the
sword, and drew letters on the hilt. And after went to the ship's
board, and wrote there other letters which said : Thou man that wilt
enter within me, beware that thou be full within the faith, for I ne am
but Faith and Belief. When Solomon espied these letters he was
abashed, so that he durst not enter, and so drew him aback ; and
the ship was anon shoven in the sea, and he went so fast that he lost
sight of him within a little while. And then a little voice said : Solo-
mon, the last knight of thy lineage shall rest in this bed. Then went
Solomon and awaked his wife, and told her of the adventures of the
ship.
Now saith the history that a great while the three fellows beheld
the bed and the three spindles. Then they were at certain that they
were of natural colours without painting. Then they lift up a cloth
which was above the ground, and there found a rich purse by seem-
ing. And Percivale took it, and found therein a writ and so he read
it, and devised the manner of the spindles and of the ship, whence it
came, and by whom it was made. Now, said Galahad, where shall we
find the gentlewoman that shall make new girdles to the sword ? Fair
sir, said Percivale's sister, dismay you not, for by the leave of God I
shall let make a girdle to the sword, such one as shall long thereto.
And then she opened a box, and took out girdles which were seemly
wrought with golden threads, and upon that were set full precious
stones, and a rich buckle of gold. Lo, lords, said she, here is a girdle
that ought to be set about the sword. And wit ye well the greatest
part of this girdle was made of my hair, which I loved well while that I
was a woman of the world. But as soon as I wist that this adventure
was ordained me I clipped off my hair, and made this girdle in the
name of God. Ye be well found, said Sir Bors, for certes ye have put
54 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
us out of great pain, wherein we should have entered ne had your
tidings been.
Then went the gentlewoman and set it on the girdle of the sword.
Now, said the fellowship, what is the name of the sword, and what
shall we call it ? Truly, said she, the name of the sword is the Sword
with the Strange Girdles ; and the sheath, Mover of Blood ; for no
man that hath blood in him ne shall never see the one part of the
sheath which was made of the Tree of Life. Then they said to Gala-
had : In the name of Jesu Christ, and pray you that ye gird you with
this sword which hath been desired so much in the realm of Logris.
Now let me begin, said Galahad, ;to grip this sword for to give you
courage ; but wit ye well it longeth no more to me than it doth to you.
And then he gripped about it with his fingers a great deal; and then
she girt him about the middle with the sword. Now reck I not though
I die, for now I hold me one of the blessed maidens of the world, which
hath made the worthiest knight of the world. Damosel, said Galahad,
ye have done so much that I shall be your knight all the days of my
life.
Then they went from that ship, and went to the other. And anon
the wind drove them into the sea a great pace, but they had no vic-
tuals : but it befell that they came on the morn to a castle that men call
Carteloise, that was in the marches of Scotland. And when they had
passed the port, the gentlewoman said : Lords, here be men arriven
that, an they wist that ye were of King Arthur's court, ye should be
assailed anon. Damosel, said Galahad, He that cast us out of the rock
shall deliver us from them.
CHAPTER VIII. HOW GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS
CAME TO A CASTLE, AND HOW THEY WERE FOUGHT
WITHAL, AND HOW THEY SLEW THEIR ADVERSARIES,
AND OTHER MATTERS
jO it befell as they spoke thus there came a squire by them, and
asked what they were; and they said they were of King
Arthur's house. Is that sooth? said he. Now by my head,
said he, ye be ill arrayed ; and then turned he again unto the
cliff fortress. And within a while they heard an horn blow. Then a
gentlewoman came to them, and asked them of whence they were ;
and they told her. Fair lords, said she, for God's love turn again if ye
Chap. 8 HOW GALAHAD CAME TO A CASTLE 55
may, for ye be come unto your death. Nay, they said, we will not
turn again, for He shall help us in whose service we be entered in.
Then as they stood talking there came knights well armed, and bade
them yield them or else to die. That yielding, said they, shall be noy-
ous to you. And therewith they let their horses run, and Sir Percivale
smote the foremost to the earth, and took his horse, and mounted there-
upon, and the same did Galahad. Also Bors served another so, for
they had no horses in that country, for they left their horses when
they took their ship in other countries. And so when they were horsed
then began they to set upon them ; and they of the castle fled into the
strong fortress, and the three knights after them into the castle, and so
alighted on foot, and with their swords slew them down, and gat into
the hall.
Then when they beheld the great multitude of people that they had
slain, they held themself great sinners. Certes, said Bors, I ween an
God had loved them that we should not have had power to have slain
them thus. But they have done so much against Our Lord that He
would not suffer them to reign no longer. Say ye not so, said Galahad,
for if they misdid against God, the vengeance is not ours, but to Him
which hath power thereof.
So came there out of a chamber a good man which was a priest, and
bare God's body in a cup. And when he saw them which lay dead in
the hall he was all abashed ; and Galahad did off his helm and kneeled
down, and so did his two fellows. Sir, said they, have ye no dread of
us, for we be of King Arthur's court. Then asked the good man how
they were slain so suddenly, and they told it him. Truly, said the good
man, an ye might live as long as the world might endure, ne might ye
have done so great an alms-deed as this. Sir, said Galahad, I repent
me much, inasmuch as they were christened. Nay, repent you not,
said he, for they were not christened, and I shall tell you how that I
wot of this castle. Here was Lord Earl Hernox not but one year, and
he had three sons, good knights of arms, and a daughter, the fairest
gentlewoman that men knew. So those three knights loved their sister
so sore that they brent in love, and so they lay by her, maugre her
head. And for she cried to her father they slew her, and took their
father and put him in prison, and wounded him nigh to the death, but
a cousin of hers rescued him. And then did they great untruth : they
slew clerks and priests, and made beat down chapels, that Our Lord's
56 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
service might not be served nor said. And this same day her father
sent to me for to be confessed and houseled ; but such shame had never
man as I had this day with the three brethren, but the earl bade me
suffer, for he said they should not long endure, for three servants of
Our Lord should destroy them, and now it is brought to an end. And
by this may ye wit that Our Lord is not displeased with your deeds.
Certes, said Galahad, an it had not pleased Our Lord, never should we
have slain so many men in so little a while.
And then they brought the Earl Hernox out of prison into the midst
of the hall, that knew Galahad anon, and yet he saw him never afore
but by revelation of Our Lord.
CHAPTER IX. HOW THE THREE KNIGHTS, WITH PER-
CIVALE'S SISTER, CAME UNTO THE SAME FOREST,
AND OF AN HART AND FOUR LIONS, AND OTHER THINGS
P- — I I — ^HEN began he to weep right tenderly, and said : Long have
I abiden your coming, but for God's love hold me in your
arms, that my soul may depart out of my body in so good a
man's arms as ye be. Gladly, said Galahad. And then one
said on high, that all heard : Galahad, well hast thou avenged me on
God's enemies. Now behoveth thee to go to the Maimed King as
soon as thou mayest, for he shall receive by thee health which he hath
abiden so long. And therewith the soul departed from the body, and
Galahad made him to be buried as him ought to be.
Right so departed the three knights, and Percivale's sister with
them. And so they came into a waste forest, and there they saw afore
them a white hart which four lions led. Then they took them to assent
for to follow after for to know whither they repaired; and so they rode
after a great pace till that they came to a valley, and thereby was an
hermitage where a good man dwelled, and the hart and the lions
entered also. So when they saw all this they turned to the chapel, and
saw the good man in a religious weed and in the armour of Our Lord,
for he would sing mass of the Holy Ghost ; and so they entered in and
heard mass. And at the secrets of the mass they three saw the hart
become a man, the which marvelled them, and set him upon the altar
in a rich siege ; and saw the four lions were changed, the one to the
form of a man, the other to the form of a lion, and the third to an eagle,
and the fourth was changed unto an ox. Then took they their siege
Chap. 10 THE STRANGE CUSTOM OF A CASTLE 57
where the hart sat, and went out through a glass window, and there
was nothing perished nor broken; and they heard a voice say: In
such a manner entered the Son of God in the womb of a maid Mary,
whose virginity ne was perished ne hurt. And when they heard these
words they fell down to the earth and were astonied ; and therewith
was a great clearness.
And when they were come to theirself again they went to the good
man and prayed him that he would say them truth. What thing have
ye seen? said he. And they told him all that they had seen. Ah lords,
said he, ye be welcome ; now wot I well ye be the good knights the
which shall bring the Sangreal to an end ; for ye be they unto whom
Our Lord shall shew great secrets. And well ought Our Lord be sig-
nified to an hart, for the hart when he is old he waxeth young again in
his white skin. Right so cometh again Our Lord from death to life, for
He lost earthly flesh that was the deadly flesh, which He had taken in
the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary ; and for that cause appeared
Our Lord as a white hart without spot. And the four that were with
Him is to understand the four evangelists which set in writing a part of
Jesu Christ's deeds that He did sometime when He was among you an
earthly man ; for wit ye well never erst ne might no knight know the
truth, for ofttimes or this Our Lord showed Him unto good men and
unto good knights, in likeness of an hart, but I suppose from henceforth
ye shall see no more. And then they joyed much, and dwelled there
all that day. And upon the morrow when they had heard mass they
departed and commended the good man to God : and so they came to
a castle and passed by. So there came a knight armed after them and
said : Lords, hark what I shall say to you.
CHAPTER X. HOW THEY WERE DESIRED OF A
STRANGE CUSTOM, THE WHICH THEY WOULD NOT
OBEY; WHEREFORE THEY FOUGHT AND SLEW MANY
KNIGHTS
^ — I | — >|HIS gentlewoman that ye lead with you is a maid? Sir, said
she, a maid I am. Then he took her by the bridle and said :
By the Holy Cross, ye shall not escape me to-fore ye have
yolden the custom of this castle. Let her go, said Percivale,
ye be not wise, for a maid in what place she cometh is free. So in the
meanwhile there came out a ten or twelve knights armed, out of the
iv i
58 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
castle, and with them came gentlewomen which held a dish of silver.
And then they said : This gentlewoman must yield us the custom of
this castle. Sir, said a knight, what maid passeth hereby shall give
this dish full of blood of her right arm. Blame have ye, said Galahad,
that brought up such customs, and so God me save, I ensure you of this
gentlewoman ye shall fail while that I live. So God me help, said Per-
civale, I had liefer be slain. And I also, said Sir Bors. By my troth,
said the knight, then shall ye die, for ye may not endure against us
though ye were the best knights of the world.
Then let they run each to other, and the three fellows beat the ten
knights, and then set their hands to their swords and beat them down
and slew them. Then there came out of the castle a three score knights
armed. Fair lords, said the three fellows, have mercy on yourself
and have not ado with us. Nay, fair lords, said the knights of the castle,
we counsel you to withdraw you, foryebe the best knightsof the world,
and therefore do no more, for ye have done enough. We will let you
go with this harm, but we must needs have the custom. Certes, said
Galahad, for nought speak ye. Well, said they, will ye die? We be
not yet come thereto, said Galahad. Then began they to meddle toge-
ther, and Galahad, with the strange girdles, drew his sword, and
smote on the right hand and on the left hand, and slew what that ever
abode him, and did such marvels that there was none that saw him but
weened he had been none earthly man, but a monster. And his two
fellows halp him passing well, and so they held the journey everych in
like hard till it was night : then must they needs depart.
So came in a good knight, and said to the three fellows: If ye will
come in to-night and take such harbour as here is ye shall be right wel-
come, and we shall ensure you by the faith of our bodies, and as we be
true knights, to leave you in such estate to-morrow as we find you,
without any falsehood. And as soon as ye know of the custom we dare
say ye will accord therefore. For God's love, said the gentlewoman,
go thither and spare not for me. Go we, said Galahad ; and so they
entered into the chapel. And when they were alighted they made great
joy of them. So within a while the three knights asked the custom of
the castle and wherefore it was. What it is, said they, we will say
you sooth.
Chap. 1 1 HOW PERCIVALE'S SISTER DIED 59
CHAPTER XI. HOW SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER BLED A
DISH FULL OF BLOOD FOR TO HEAL A LADY, WHERE-
FORE SHE DIED; AND HOW THAT THE BODY WAS
PUT IN A SHIP
]f — | | — ^HERE is in this castle a gentlewoman which we and this
castle is hers, and many other. So it befell many years agone
there fell upon her a malady ; and when she had lain a great
while she fell unto a measle, and of no leech she could have
no remedy. But at the last an old man said an she might have a dish
full of blood of a maid and a clean virgin in will and in work, and a king's
daughter, that blood should be her health, and for to anoint her withal;
and for this thing was this custom made. Now, said Percivale's sister,
fair knights, I see well that this gentlewoman is but dead. Certes, said
Galahad, an ye bleed so much ye may die. Truly, said she, an I die
for to heal her I shall get me great worship and soul's health, and wor-
ship to my lineage, and better is one harm than twain. And therefore
there shall be no more battle, but to-morn I shall yield you your custom
of this castle. Andthen there was great joymore than there wasto-fore,
for else had there been mortal war upon the morn ; notwithstanding
she would none other, whether they wold or nold.
That night were the three fellows eased with the best ; and on the
morn they heard mass, and Sir Percivale's sister bade bring forth the
sick lady. So she was, the which was evil at ease. Then said she :
Who shall let me blood ? So one came forth and let her blood, and she
bled so much that the dish was full. Then she lift up her hand and
blessed her ; and then she said to the lady : Madam, I am come to the
death for to make you whole, for God's love pray for me. With that
she fell in a swoon. Then Galahad and his two fellows start up to her,
and lift her up and staunched her, but she had bled so much that she
might not live. Then she said when she was awaked : Fair brother
Percivale, I die for the healing of this lady, so I require you that ye
bury me not in this country, but as soon as I am dead put me in a boat
at the next haven, and let me go as adventure will lead me ; and as
soon as ye three come to the City of Sarras, there to enchieve the Holy
Grail, ye shall find me under a tower arrived, and there bury me in the
spiritual place ; for I say you so much, there Galahad shall be buried,
and ye also, in the same place.
60 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XV 1 1
Then Percivale understood these words, and granted it her, weep-
ing. And then said a voice : Lords and fellows, to-morrow at the hour
of prime ye three shall depart everych from other, till the adventure
bring you to the Maimed King. Then asked she her Saviour ; and as
soon as she had received it the soul departed from the body. So the
same day was the lady healed, when she was anointed withal. Then
Sir Percivale made a letter of all that she had holpen them as in
strange adventures, and put it in her right hand, and so laid her in a
barge, and covered it with black silk; and so the wind arose, and
drove the barge from the land, and all knights beheld it till it was out
of their sight. Then they drew all to the castle, and so forthwith there
fell a sudden tempest and a thunder, lightning, and rain, as all the
earth would have broken. So half the castle turned up-so-down. So it
passed evensong or the tempest was ceased.
Then they saw afore them a knight armed and wounded hard in
the body and in the head, that said : O God, succour me for now it is
need. After this knight came another knight and a dwarf, which cried
to them afar : Stand, ye may not escape. Then the wounded knight
held up his hands to God that he should not die in such tribulation.
Truly, said Galahad, I shall succour him for His sake that he calleth
upon. Sir, said Bors, I shall do it, for it is not for you, for he is but one
knight. Sir, said he, I grant. So Sir Bors took his horse, and com-
mended him to God, and rode after, to rescue the wounded knight.
Now turn we to the two fellows.
CHAPTER XI I. HOW GALAHAD AND PERCIVALE FOUND
IN A CASTLE MANY TOMBS OF MAIDENS THAT HAD
BLED TO DEATH
"OW saith the story that all night Galahad and Percivale
were in a chapel in their prayers, for to save Sir Bors. So
on the morrow they dressed them in their harness toward
the castle, to wit what was fallen of them therein. And
when they came there they found neither man nor woman that he ne
was dead by the vengeance of Our Lord. With that they heard a
voice that said : This vengeance is for blood-shedding of maidens.
Also they found at the end of the chapel a churchyard, and therein
might they see a three score fair tombs, and that place was so fair and
so delectable that it seemed them there had been none tempest, for
there lay the bodies of all the good maidens which were martyred for
Chap. 13 HOW LAUNCELOT MET GALAHAD 6i
the sick lady's sake. Also they found the names of everych, and of
what blood they were come, and all were of kings' blood, and twelve
of them were kings' daughters. Then they departed and went into a
forest. Now, said Percivale unto Galahad, we must depart, so pray we
Our Lord that we may meet together in short time: then they did
off their helms and kissed together, and wept at their departing.
CHAPTER XIII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ENTERED INTO
THE SHIP WHERE SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER LAY DEAD,
AND HOW HE MET WITH SIR GALAHAD, HIS SON
"OW saith the history, that when Launcelot was come to the
water of Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he was in great
peril, and so he laid him down and slept, and took the
adventure that God would send him. So when he was
asleep there came a vision unto him and said : Launcelot, arise up and
take thine armour, and enter into the first ship that thou shalt find.
And when he heard these words he start up and saw great clearness
about him. And then he lift up his hand and blessed him, and so took
his arms and made him ready; and so by adventure he came by a
strand, and found a ship the which was without sail or oar. And as
soon as he was within the ship there he felt the most sweetness that
ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all thing that he thought on or
desired. Then he said : Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, I wot not in
what joy I am, for this joy passeth all earthly joys that ever I was in.
And so in this joy he laid him down to the ship's board, and slept till
day. And when he awoke he found there a fair bed, and therein lying
a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir Percivale's sister. And as
Launcelot devised her, he espied in her right hand a writ, the which
he read, the which told him all the adventures that ye have heard
to-fore, and of what lineage she was come. So with this gentlewoman
Sir Launcelot was a month and more. If ye would ask how he lived,
He that fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert, so was he
fed ; for every day when he had said his prayers he was sustained
with the grace of the Holy Ghost.
So on a night he went to play him by the water side, for he was
somewhat weary of the ship. And then he listened and heard an
horse come, and one riding upon him. And when he came nigh he
seemed a knight. And so he let him pass, and went thereas the ship
was; and there he alighted, and took the saddle and the bridle and
62 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
put the horse from him, and went into the ship. And then Launcelot
dressed unto him, and said : Ye be welcome. And he answered and
saluted him again, and asked him : What is your name ? for much my
heart giveth unto you. Truly, said he, my name is Launcelot du Lake.
Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of me in
this world. Ah, said he, are ye Galahad? Yea, forsooth, said he; and
so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off his
helm and kissed him. And there was great joy between them, for
there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, and
many a friendly word spoken between, as kin would, the which is no
need here to be rehearsed. And there everych told other of their
adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in many journeys
sith that they departed from the court.
Anon, as Galahad saw the gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew
her well enough, and told great worship of her, that she was the best
maid living, and it was great pity of her death. But when Launcelot
heard how the marvellous sword was gotten, and who made it, and all
the marvels rehearsed afore, then he prayed Galahad, his son, that he
would show him the sword, and so he did ; and anon he kissed the
pommel, and the hilt, and the scabbard. Truly, said Launcelot, never
erst knew I of so high adventures done, and so marvellous and strange.
So dwelt Launcelot and Galahad within that ship half a year, and
served God daily and nightly with all their power ; and often they
arrived in isles far from folk, where there repaired none but wild
beasts, and there they found many strange adventures and perilous,
which they brought to an end ; but for those adventures were with wild
beasts, and not in the quest of the Sangreal, therefore the tale maketh
here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all those
adventures that befell them.
CHAPTER XIV. HOW A KNIGHT BROUGHT UNTO SIR
GALAHAD A HORSE, AND BADE HIM COME FROM HIS
FATHER, SIR LAUNCELOT
}O after, on a Monday, it befell that they arrived in the edge of a
forest to-fore a cross ; and then saw they a knight armed all in
i white, and was richly horsed, and led in his right hand a white
horse ; and so he came to the ship, and saluted the two knights
on the High Lord's behalf, and said : Galahad, sir, ye have been long
Chap. 14 OF LAUNCELOT AND GALAHAD 63
enough with your father, come out of the ship, and start upon this
horse, and go where the adventures shall lead thee in the quest of the
Sangreal. Then he went to his father and kissed him sweetly, and
said : Fair sweet father, I wot not when I shall see you more till I see
the body of Jesu Christ. I pray you, said Launcelot, pray ye to the
High Father that He hold me in His service. And so he took his horse,
and there they heard a voice that said : Think for to do well, for the
one shall never see the other before the dreadful day of doom. Now,
son Galahad, said Launcelot, since we shall depart, and never see
other, I pray to the High Father to conserve me and you both. Sir,
said Galahad, no prayer availeth so much as yours. And therewith
Galahad entered into the forest.
And the wind arose, and drove Launcelot more than a month
throughout the sea, where he slept but little, but prayed to God that
he might see some tidings of the Sangreal. So it befell on a night, at
midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on the back side, which was rich
and fair, and there was a postern opened toward the sea, and was open
without any keeping, save two lions kept the entry; and the moon
shone clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said : Launcelot,
go out of this ship and enterintothe castle, where thou shalt see agreat
part of thy desire. Then he ran to his arms, and so armed him, and so
went to the gate and saw the lions. Then set he hand to his sword and
drew it. Then there came a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the
arm so sore that the sword fell out of his hand. Then heard he a voice
say: O man of evil faith and poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more
on thy harness than in thy Maker, for He might more avail thee than
thine armour, in whose service that thou art set. Then said Launce-
lot : Fair Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy great mercy that Thou
reprovest me of my misdeed ; now see I well that ye hold me for your
servant. Then took he again his sword and put it up in his sheath, and
made a cross in his forehead, and came to the lions, and they made
semblaunt to do him harm. Notwithstanding he passed by them with-
out hurt, and entered into the castle to the chief fortress, and there
were they all at rest. Then Launcelot entered in so armed, for he
found no gate nor door but it was open. And at the last he found a
chamber whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to
have opened it, but he might not.
64 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
CHAPTER XV. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS TO-FORE
THE DOOR OF THE CHAMBER WHEREIN THE HOLY
SANGREAL WAS
he enforced him mickle to undo the door. Then he
listened and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it
seemed none earthly thing ; and him thought the voice said :
Joy and honour be to the Father of Heaven. Then Launce-
lot kneeled down to- fore the chamber, for well wist he that there
was the Sangreal within that chamber. Then said he : Fair sweet
Father, Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that pleased Thee, Lord
for Thy pity never have me not in despite for my sins done afore-
time, and that Thou show me something of that I seek. And with that
he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great clear-
ness, that the house was as bright as all the torches of the world had
been there.
So came he to the chamber door, and would have entered. And
anon a voice said to him: Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou
oughtest not to do it ; and if thou enter thou shalt for-think it. Then he
withdrew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst of
the chamber, and saw a table of silver, and the Holy Vessel, covered
with red samite, and many angels about it, whereof one held a candle
of wax burning, and the other held a cross, and the ornaments of an
altar. And before the Holy Vessel he saw a good man clothed as a
priest. And it seemed that he was at the sacring of the mass. And it
seemed to Launcelot that above the priest's hands were three men,
whereof the two put the youngest by likeness between the priest's
hands ; and so he lift it up right high, and it seemed to show so to the
people. And then Launcelot marvelled not a little, for him thought
the priest was so greatly charged of the figure that him seemed that he
should fall to the earth. And when he saw none about him that would
help him, then came he to the door a great pace, and said : Fair Father
Jesu Christ, ne take it for no sin though I help the good man which hath
great need of help.
Right so entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of
silver ; and when he came nigh he felt a breath, that him thought it
was intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage that
him thought it brent his visage ; and therewith he fell to the earth, and
Chap. 16 SIR LAUNCELOT AND KING PELLES 65
had no power to arise, as he that was so araged, that had lost the power
of his body, and his hearing, and his seeing. Then felt he many hands
about him, which took him up and bare him out of the chamber door,
without any amending of his swoon, and left him there, seeming dead
to all people.
So upon the morrow when it was fair day they within were arisen,
and found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door. All they mar-
velled how that he came in, and so they looked upon him, and felt his
pulse to wit whether there were any life in him ; and so they found life
in him, but he might not stand nor stir no member that he had. And so
they took him by every part of the body, and bare him into a chamber,
and laid him in a rich bed, far from all folk ; and so he lay four days.
Then the one said he was alive, and the other said, Nay. In the name
of God, said an old man, for I doyou verily to wit he is not dead, but he
is so full of life as the mightiest of you all ; and therefore I counsel you
that he be well kept till God send him life again.
CHAPTER XVI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HAD LAIN FOUR-
AND-TWENTY DAYS AND AS MANY NIGHTS AS A DEAD
MAN, AND OTHER DIVERS MATTERS
"N such manner they kept Launcelot four-and-twenty days and
all so many nights, that ever he lay still as a dead man ; and at the
twenty-fifth day befell him after midday that he opened his eyes.
. And when he saw folk he made great sorrow, and said : Why
have ye awaked me, for I was more at ease than I am now. O Jesu
Christ, who might be so blessed that might see openly thy great marvels
of secretness there where no sinner may be! What have ye seen?
said they about him. I have seen, said he, so great marvels that no
tongue may tell, and more than any heart can think, and had not my
son been here afore me I had seen much more.
Then they told him how he had lain there four-and-twenty days
and nights. Then him thought it was punishment for the four-and-
twenty years that he had been a sinner, wherefore Our Lord put him
in penance four-and-twentydaysand nights. Then looked Sir Launce-
lot afore him, and saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for
that he for-thought him right much that he had broken his promise
unto the hermit, which he had avowed to do. Then they asked how it
stood with him. Forsooth, said he, I am whole of body, thanked be Our
iv k
66 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
Lord ; therefore, sirs, for God's love tell me where I am. Then said
they all that he was in the castle of Carbonek.
Therewith came a gentlewoman and brought him a shirt of small
linen cloth, but he changed not there, but took the hair to him again.
Sir, said they, the quest of the Sangreal is achieved now right in you,
that never shall ye see of the Sangreal no more than ye have seen.
Now I thank God, said Launcelot, of His great mercy of that I have
seen, for it sufficeth me ; for as I suppose no man in this world hath
lived better than I have done to enchieve that I have done. And there-
with he took the hair and clothed him in it, and above that he put a
linen shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new. And when he
was so arrayed they marvelled all, for they knew him that he was
Launcelot, the good knight. And then they said all : O my lord Sir
Launcelot, be that ye ? And he said : Truly I am he.
Then came word to King Pelles that the knight that had lain so long
dead was Sir Launcelot. Then was the king right glad, and went to
see him. And when Launcelot saw him come he dressed him against
him, and there made the king great joy of him. And there the king
told him tidings that his fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was
right heavy of it, and said : Sir, me forthinketh the death of your
daughter, for she was a full fair lady, fresh and young. And well I wot
she bare the best knight that is now on the earth, or that ever was sith
God was born. So the king held him there four days, and on the
morrow he took his leave at King Pelles and at all the fellowship, and
thanked them of their great labour.
Right so as they sat at their dinner in the chief salle, then was so
befallen that the Sangreal had fulfilled the table with all manner of
meats that any heart might think. So as they sat they saw all the doors
and the windows of the place were shut without man's hand, whereof
they were all abashed, and none wist what to do.
And then it happed suddenly a knight came to the chief door and
knocked, and cried : Undo the door. But they would not. And ever
he cried: Undo; but they would not. And at last it noyed them so
much that the king himself arose and came to a window there where
the knight called. Then he said : Sir knight, ye shall not enter at this
time while the Sangreal is here, and therefore go into another ; for
certes ye be none of the knights of the quest, but one of them which
hath served the fiend, and hast left the service of Our Lord : and he
Chap. 17 LAUNCELOT RETURNS TOWARDS LOGRIS 67
was passing wroth at the king's words. Sir knight, said the king, sith
ye would so fain enter, say me of what country ye be. Sir, said he, I
am of the realm of Logris, and my name is Ector de Maris, and brother
unto my lord, Sir Launcelot. In the name of God, said the king, me
for-thinketh of what I have said, for your brother is here within. And
when Ector de Maris understood that his brother was there, for he
was the man in the world that he most dread and loved, and then he
said : Ah God, now doubleth my sorrow and shame. Full truly said
the good man of the hill unto Gawaine and to me of our dreams. Then
went he out of the court as fast as his horse might, and so throughout
the castle.
CHAPTER XVII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RETURNED
TOWARDS LOGRIS, AND OF OTHER ADVENTURES
WHICH HE SAW IN THE WAY
\> — I I — >]HEN King Pelles came to Sir Launcelot and told him tidings
of his brother, whereof he was sorry, that he wist not what
to do. So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his arms, and
said he would go see the realm of Logris, which I have
not seen in twelve months. And therewith he commended the king to
God, and so rode through many realms. And at the last he came to a
white abbey, and there they made him that night great cheer ; and on
the morn he rose and heard mass. And afore an altar he found a rich
tomb, which was newly made ; and then he took heed, and saw the
sides written with gold which said : Here lieth King Bagdemagus of
Gore, which King Arthur's nephew slew ; and named him, Sir Gawaine.
Then was not he a little sorry, for Launcelot loved him much more than
any other, and had it been any other than Gawaine he should not have
escaped from death to life ; and said to himself: Ah Lord God, this is a
great hurt unto King Arthur's court, the loss of such a man. And then
he departed and came to the abbey where Galahad did the adventure
of the tombs, and won the white shield with the red cross ; and there
had he great cheer all that night.
And on the morn he turned unto Camelot, where he found King
Arthur and the queen. But many of the knights of the Round Table
were slain and destroyed, more than half. And so three were come
home, Ector, Gawaine, and Lionel, and many other that need not to be
rehearsed. And all the court was passing glad of Sir Launcelot, and
68 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
the king asked him many tidings of his son Galahad. And there
Launcelot told the king of his adventures that had befallen him since
he departed. And also he told him of the adventures of Galahad,
Percivale, and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of the dead
damosel, and as Galahad had told him. Now God would, said the
king, that they were all three here. That shall never be, said Launce-
lot, for two of them shall ye never see, but one of them shall come again.
Now leave we this story and speak of Galahad.
CHAPTER XVIII. HOW GALAHAD CAME TO KING
MORDRAINS, AND OF OTHER MATTERS AND ADVEN-
TURES
"OW, saith the story, Galahad rode many journeys in vain.
And at the last he came to the abbey where King Mordrains
was, and when he heard that, he thought he would abide to
see him. And upon the morn, when he had heard mass,
Galahad came unto King Mordrains, and anon the king saw him,
which had lain blind of long time. And then he dressed him against
him, and said : Galahad, the servant of Jesu Christ, whose coming I
have abiden so long, now embrace me and let me rest on thy breast, so
that I may rest between thine arms, for thou art a clean virgin above
all knights, as the flower of the lily in whom virginity is signified, and
thou art the rose the which is the flower of all good virtues, and in
colour of fire. For the fire of the Holy Ghost is taken so in thee that
my flesh which was all dead of oldness is become young again. Then
Galahad heard his words, then he embraced him and all his body.
Then said he : Fair Lord Jesu Christ, now I have my will. Now I
require thee, in this point that I am in, thou come and visit me. And
anon Our Lord heard his prayer : therewith the soul departed from
the body.
And then Galahad put him in the earth as a king ought to be, and so
departed and so came into a perilous forest where he found the well
the which boileth with great waves, as the tale telleth to-fore. And as
soon as Galahad set his hand thereto it ceased, so that it brent no more,
and the heat departed. For that it brent it was a sign of lechery, the
which was that time much used. But that heat might not abide his
pure virginity. And this was taken in the country for a miracle. And
so ever after was it called Galahad's well.
Chap. 19 OF PERCIVALE, BORS, AND GALAHAD 69
Then by adventure he came into the country of Gore, and into the
abbey where Launcelot had been to-forehand, and found the tomb of
King Bagdemagus, but he was founder thereof, Joseph of Aramathie's
son; and the tomb of Simeon where Launcelot had failed. Then he
looked into a croft under the minster, and there he saw a tomb which
brent full marvellously. Then asked he the brethren what it was. Sir,
said they, a marvellous adventure that may not be brought unto none
end but by him that passeth of bounty and of knighthood all them of
the Round Table. I would, said Galahad, that ye would lead me
thereto. Gladly, said they, and so led him till a cave. And he went
down upon greses, and came nigh the tomb. And then the flaming
failed, and the fire staunched, the which many a day had been great.
Then came there a voice that said : Much are ye beholden to thank
Our Lord, the which hath given you a good hour, that ye may draw
out the souls of earthly pain, and to put them into the joys of paradise.
I am of your kindred, the which hath dwelled in this heat this three
hundred winter and four-and-fifty to be purged of the sin that I did
against Joseph of Aramathie. Then Galahad took the body in his arms
and bare it into the minster. And that night lay Galahad in the abbey ;
and on the morn he gave him service, and put him in the earth afore
the high altar.
CHAPTER XIX. HOW SIR PERCIVALE AND SIR BORS
MET WITH SIR GALAHAD, AND HOW THEY CAME TO
THE CASTLE OF CARBONEK, AND OTHER MATTERS
|O departed he from thence, and commended the brethren to
God ; and so he rode five days till that he came to the Maimed
King. And ever followed Percivale the five days, asking where
he had been ; and so one told him how the adventures of Logris
were enchieved. So on a day it befell that they came out of a great
forest, and there they met at traverse with Sir Bors, the which rode
alone. It is none need to tell if they were glad ; and them he saluted,
and they yielded him honour and good adventure, and everych told
other. Then said Bors : It is mo than a year and an half that I ne lay
ten times where men dwelled, but in wild forests and in mountains,
but God was ever my comfort.
Then rode they a great while till that they came to the castle of
Carbonek. And when they were entered within the castle KingPelles
70 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
knew them; then there was great joy, for they wist well by their
coming that they had fulfilled the quest of the Sangreal. Then Eliazar,
King Pelles' son, brought to-fore them the broken sword wherewith
Joseph was stricken through the thigh. Then Bors set his hand thereto,
if that he might have soldered it again ; but it would not be. Then he
took it to Percivale, but he had no more power thereto than he. Now
have ye it again, said Percivale to Galahad, for an it be ever enchieved
by any bodily man ye must do it. And then he took the pieces and set
them together, and they seemed that they had never been broken,
and as well as it had been first forged. And when they within espied
that the adventure of the sword was enchieved, then they gave the
sword to Bors, for it might not be better set ; for he was a good knight
and a worthy man.
And a little afore even the sword arose great and marvellous, and
was full of great heat that many men fell for dread. And anon alighted
a voice among them, and said : They that ought not to sit at the table of
Jesu Christ arise, for now shall very knights be fed. So they went
thence, all save King Pelles and Eliazar, his son, the which were holy
men, and a maid which was his niece ; and so these three fellows and
they three were there, no mo. Anon they saw knights all armed came
in at the hall door, and did off their helms and their arms, and said unto
Galahad : Sir, we have hied right much for to be with you at this table
where the holy meat shall be departed. Then said he: Ye be welcome,
but of whence be ye ? So three of them said they were of Gaul, and
other three said they were of Ireland, and the other three said they
were of Denmark. So as they sat thus there came out a bed of tree, of
a chamber, the which four gentlewomen brought ; and in the bed lay
a good man sick, and a crown of gold upon his head ; and there in the
midst of the place they set him down, and went again their way. Then
he lift up his head, and said : Galahad, Knight, ye be welcome, for
much have I desired your coming, for in such pain and in such anguish
I have been long. But now I trust to God the term is come that my pain
shall be allayed, that I shall pass out of this world so as it was promised
me long ago. Therewith a voice said : There be two among you that
be not in the quest of the Sangreal, and therefore depart ye.
Chap. 20 OF GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS 71
CHAPTER XX. HOW GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS
WERE FED OF THE HOLY SANGREAL, AND HOW OUR
LORD APPEARED TO THEM, AND OTHER THINGS
\f — I I — ^HEN King Pelles and his son departed. And therewithal
beseemed them that there came a man, and four angels from
heaven, clothed in likeness of a bishop, and had a cross in
his hand ; and these four angels bare him up in a chair, and
set him down before the table of silver whereupon the Sangreal was ;
and it seemed that he had in midst of his forehead letters the which
said : See ye here Joseph, the first bishop of Christendom, the same
which Our Lord succoured in the city of Sarras in the spiritual place.
Then the knights marvelled, for that bishop was dead more than three
hundred year to-fore. O knights, said he, marvel not, for I was some-
time an earthly man. With that they heard the chamber door open,
and there they saw angels; and two bare candles of wax, and the
third a towel, and the fourth a spear which bled marvellously, that
three drops fell within a box which he held with his other hand. And
they set the candles upon the table, and the third the towel upon the
vessel, and the fourth the holy spear even upright upon the vessel.
And then the bishop made semblaunt as though he would have gone
to the sacring of the mass. And then he took an ubblie which was
made in likeness of bread. And at the lifting up there came a figure in
likeness of a child, and the visage was as red and as bright as any fire,
and smote himself into the bread, so that they all saw it that the bread
was formed of a fleshly man ; and then he put it into the Holy Vessel
again, and then he did that longed to a priest to do to a mass. And
then he went to Galahad and kissed him, and bade him go and kiss his
fellows : and so he did anon. Now, said he, servants of Jesu Christ, ye
shall be fed afore this table with sweetmeats that never knights tasted.
And when he had said, he vanished away. And they set them at the
table in great dread, and made their prayers.
Then looked they and saw a man come out of the Holy Vessel, that
had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, bleeding all openly, and
said : My knights, and my servants, and my true children, which be
come out of deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no longer hide me
from you, but ye shall see now a part of my secrets and of my hidden
things : now hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much
72 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
desired. Then took he himself the Holy Vessel and came to Galahad ;
and he kneeled down, and there he received his Saviour, and after
him so received all his fellows ; and they thought it so sweet that it was
marvellous to tell. Then said he to Galahad : Son, wottest thou what I
hold betwixt my hands? Nay, said he, but if ye will tell me. This is,
said he, the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb on Sheer-Thursday.
And now hast thou seen that thou most desired to see, but yet hast
thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see it in the city of Sarras in the
spiritual place. Therefore thou must go hence and bear with thee this
Holy Vessel ; for this night it shall depart from the realm of Logris,
that it shall never be seen more here. And wottest thou wherefore ?
For he is not served nor worshipped to his right by them of this land,
for they be turned to evil living ; therefore I shall disherit them of the
honour which I have done them. And therefore goye three to-morrow
unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship ready, and with you take
the sword with the strange girdles, and no more with you but Sir
Percivale and Sir Bors. Also I will that ye take with you of the blood
of this spear for to anoint the Maimed King, both his legs and all his
body, and he shall have his health. Sir, said Galahad, why shall not
these other fellows go with us? For this cause: for right as I departed
my apostles one here and another there, so I will that ye depart ; and
two of you shall die in my service, but one of you shall come again and
tell tidings. Then gave he them his blessing and vanished away.
CHAPTER XXI. HOW GALAHAD ANOINTED WITH THE
BLOOD OF THE SPEAR THE MAIMED KING, AND OF
OTHER ADVENTURES
i ND Galahad went anon to the spear which lay upon the table,
and touched the blood with his fingers, and came after to
the Maimed King and anointed his legs. And therewith he
clothed him anon, and start upon his feet out of his bed as
an whole man, and thanked Our Lord that He had healed him. And
that was not to the world ward, for anon he yielded him to a place of
religion of white monks, and was a full holy man. That same night
about midnight came a voice among them which said : My sons and
not my chief sons, my friends and not my warriors, go ye hence where
ye hope best to do and as I bade you. Ah, thanked be Thou, Lord,
that Thou wilt vouchsafe to call us, Thy sinners. Now may we well
Chap. 21 GALAHAD ANOINTS THE KING 73
prove that we have not lost our pains. And anon in all haste they took
their harness and departed. But the three knights of Gaul, one of them
hight Claudine, King Claudas' son, and the other two were great
gentlemen. Then prayed Galahad to everych of them, that if they
come to King Arthur's court that they should salute my lord, Sir
Launcelot, my father, and all the fellowship of the Round Table ; and
prayed them if that they came on that part that they should not
forget it.
Right so departed Galahad, Percivale and Bors with him ; and so
they rode three days, and then they came to a rivage, and found the
ship whereof the tale speaketh of to-fore. And when they came to the
board they found in the midst the table of silver which they had left
with the Maimed King, and the Sangreal which was covered with red
samite. Then were they glad to have such things in their fellowship ;
and so they entered and made great reverence thereto ; and Galahad
fell in his prayer long time to Our Lord, that at what time he asked,
that he should pass out of this world. So much he prayed till a voice
said to him: Galahad, thou shalt have thy request; and when thou
askest the death of thy body thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou find
the life of the soul. Percivale heard this, and prayed him, of fellow-
ship that was between them, to tell him wherefore he asked such
things. That shall I tell you, said Galahad ; the other day when we
sawapartof the adventures of the Sangreal I was in such a joy of heart,
that I trow never man was that was earthly. And therefore I wot well,
when my body is dead my soul shall be in great joy to see the blessed
Trinity every day, and the majesty of Our Lord, Jesu Christ.
So long were they in the ship that they said to Galahad : Sir, in this
bed ought ye to lie, for so saith the scripture. And so he laid him down
and slept agreatwhile; and when he awaked he looked afore him and
saw the city of Sarras. And as they would have landed they saw the
ship wherein Percivale had put his sister in. Truly, said Percivale, in
the name of God, well hath my sister holden us covenant. Then took
they out of the ship the table of silver, and he took it to Percivale and to
Bors, to go to-fore, and Galahad came behind. And right so they went
to the city, and at the gate of the city they saw an old man crooked.
Then Galahad called him and bade him help to bear this heavy thing.
Truly, said the old man, it is ten year ago that I might not go but with
crutches. Care thou not, said Galahad, and arise up and shew thy good
iv 1
74 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVII
will. And so he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was.
Then ran he to the table, and took one part against Galahad. And
anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole
by knights marvellous that entered into the city.
Then anon after, the three knights went to the water, and brought
up into the palace Percivale's sister, and buried her as richly as a king's
daughter ought to be. And when the king of the city, which was cleped
Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked them of whence they were,
and what thing it was that they had brought upon the table of silver.
And they told him the truth of the Sangreal, and the power which that
God had sent there. Then the king was a tyrant, and was come of the
line of paynims, and took them and put them in prison in a deep hole.
CHAPTER XXII. HOW THEY WERE FED WITH THE
SANGREAL WHILE THEY WERE IN PRISON, AND HOW
GALAHAD WAS MADE KING
JUT as soon as they were there Our Lord sent them the San-
greal, through whose grace they were always fulfilled while
that they were in prison. So at the year's end it befell that
this King Estorause lay sick, and felt that he should die. Then
he sent for the three knights, and they came afore him ; and he cried
them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave it him
goodly; and he died anon. When the king was dead all the city was
dismayed, and wist not who might be their king. Right so as they were
in counsel there came a voice among them, and bade them choose the
youngest knight of them three to be their king : For he shall well main-
tain you and all yours. So they made Galahad king by all the assent
of the holy city, and else they would have slain him. And when he
was come to behold the land, he let make above the table of silver a
chest of gold and of precious stones, that hilled the Holy Vessel. And
every day early the three fellows would come afore it, and make their
prayers.
Now at the year's end, and the self day after Galahad had borne
the crown of gold, he arose up early and his fellows, and came to the
palace, and saw to- fore them the Holy Vessel, and a man kneeling on
his knees in likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship
of angels, as it had been Jesu Christ himself; and then he arose and
began a mass of Our Lady. And when he came to the sacrament of
Chap. 23 OF THE SORROW FOR GALAHAD 75
the mass, and had done, anon he called Galahad, and said to him :
Come forth the servant of Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast
much desired to see. And then he began to tremble right hard when
the deadly flesh began to behold the spiritual things. Then he held
up his hands toward heaven and said : Lord, I thank thee, for now I
see that that hath been my desire many a day. Now, blessed Lord,
would I not longer live, if it might please thee, Lord. And therewith
the good man took Our Lord's body betwixt his hands, and proffered
it to Galahad, and he received it right gladly and meekly. Nowwottest
thou what I am? said the good man. Nay, said Galahad. I am Joseph
of Aramathie, the which Our Lord hath sent here to thee to bear thee
fellowship; and wottest thou wherefore that he hath sent me more
than any other? For thou hast resembled me in two things; in that
thou hast seen the marvels of the Sangreal, in that thou hast been a
clean maiden, as I have been and am.
And when he had said these words Galahad went to Percivale and
kissed him, and commended him to God ; and so he went to Sir Bors
and kissed him, and commended him to God, and said: Fair lord,
salute me to my lord, Sir Launcelot, my father, and as soon as ye see
him, bid him remember of this unstable world. And therewith he
kneeled down to- fore the table and made his prayers, and then sud-
denly his soul departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude of angels
bare his soul up to heaven, that the two fellows might well behold it.
Also the two fellows saw come from heaven an hand, but they saw not
the body. And then it came right to the Vessel, and took it and the
spear, and so bare it up to heaven. Sithen was there never man so
hardy to say that he had seen the Sangreal.
CHAPTER XXIII. OF THE SORROW THAT PERCIVALE
AND BORS MADE WHEN GALAHAD WAS DEAD: AND
OF PERCIVALE HOW HE DIED, AND OTHER MATTERS
"HEN Percivale and Bors saw Galahad dead they
made as much sorrow as ever did two men. And if
they had not been good men they might lightly have
fallen in despair. And the people of the country and
of the city were right heavy. And then he was buried ; and as soon as
he was buried Sir Percivale yielded him to an hermitage out of the
city, and took a religious clothing. And Bors was alway with him, but
76 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI I
never changed he his secular clothing, for that he purposed him to go
again into the realm of Logris. Thus a year and two months lived Sir
Percivale in the hermitage a full holy life, and then passed out of this
world ; and Bors let bury him by his sister and by Galahad in the
spiritualities.
When Bors saw that he was in so far countries as in the parts of
Babylon he departed from Sarras, and armed him and came to the
sea, and entered into a ship ; and so it befell him in good adventure he
came into the realm of Logris ; and he rode so fast till he came to
Camelot where the king was. And then was there great joy made of
him in the court, for they weened all he had been dead, forasmuch as
he had been so long out of the country. And when they had eaten, the
king made great clerks to come afore him, that they should chronicle
of the high adventures of the good knights. When Bors had told him
of the adventures of the Sangreal, such as had befallen him and his
three fellows, that was Launcelot, Percivale, Galahad, and himself,
there Launcelot told the adventures of the Sangreal that he had seen.
All this was made in great books, and put up in almeries at Salisbury.
And anon Sir Bors said to Sir Launcelot: Galahad, your own son,
saluted you by me, and after you King Arthur and all the court, and so
did Sir Percivale, for I buried them with mine own hands in the city of
Sarras. Also, Sir Launcelot, Galahad prayed you to remember of this
unsiker world as ye benight him when ye were together more than
half a year. This is true, said Launcelot ; now I trust to God his prayer
shall avail me.
Then Launcelot took Sir Bors in his arms, and said : Gentle cousin,
ye are right welcome to me, and all that ever I may do for you and for
yours ye shall find my poor body ready at all times, while the spirit is
in it, and that I promise you faithfully, and never to fail. And wit ye
well, gentle cousin, Sir Bors, that ye and I will never depart asunder
whilst our lives may last. Sir, said he, I will as ye will.
THUS ENDETH THE HISTORY OF THE SANGREAL, THAT
WAS BRIEFLY DRAWN OUT OF FRENCH INTO ENGLISH,
THE WHICH IS A STORY CHRONICLED FOR ONE OF THE
TRUEST AND THE HOLIEST THAT IS IN THIS WORLD,
THE WHICH IS THE XVII. BOOK
AND HERE FOLLOWETH THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK
BOOK XVIII
CHAPTER I. OF THE JOY KING ARTHUR AND THE QUEEN
HAD OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SANGREAL; AND
HOW LAUNCELOT FELL TO HIS OLD LOVE AGAIN
)O after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all knights
that were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, as
the book of the Sangreal maketh mention, then was there great
joy in the court; and in especial King Arthur and Queen
Guenever made great joy of the remnant that were come home, and
passing glad was the king and the queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir
Bors, for they had been passing long away in the quest of the Sangreal.
Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
Guenever again, and forgat the promise and the perfection that he
made in the quest. For, as the book saith, had not Sir Launcelot been
in his privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly to the queen as he
was in seeming outward to God, there had no knight passed him in the
quest of the Sangreal; but ever his thoughts were privily on the queen,
and so they loved together more hotter than they did to-forehand, and
had such privy draughts together, that many in the court spake of it,
and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, for he was ever
open-mouthed.
So befell that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of ladies anddamosels
that daily resorted unto him, that besought him to be their champion,
and in all such matters of right Sir Launcelot applied him daily to do
for the pleasure of Our Lord, Jesu Christ. And ever as much as he
might he withdrew him from the company and fellowship of Queen
Guenever, for to eschew the slander and noise ; wherefore the queen
waxed wroth with Sir Launcelot. And upon a day she called Sir
Launcelot unto her chamber, and said thus : Sir Launcelot, I see and
feel daily that thy love beginneth to slake, for thou hast no joy to be in
my presence, but ever thou art out of this court, and quarrels and
matters thou hast nowadays for ladies and gentlewomen more than
ever thou wert wont to have aforehand.
Ah madam, said Launcelot, in this ye must hold me excused for
78 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
divers causes ; one is, I was but late in the quest of the Sangreal ; and I
thank God of his great mercy, and never of my desert, that I saw in
that my quest as much as ever saw any sinful man, and so was it told
me. And if I had not had my privy thoughts to return to your love
again as I do, I had seen as great mysteries as ever saw my son Galahad,
outher Percivale, or Sir Bors ; and therefore, madam, I was but late in
that quest. Wit ye well, madam, it may not be yet lightly forgotten the
high service in whom I did my diligent labour. Also, madam, wit ye
well that there be many men speak of our love in this court, and have
you and me greatly in await, as Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred ; and
madam, wit ye well I dread them more for your sake than for any fear
I have of them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in a
great need, where ye must abide all that will be said unto you. And
then if that ye fall in any distress through wilful folly, then is there
none other remedy or help but by me and my blood. And wit ye well,
madam, the boldness of you and me will bring us to great shame and
slander; and that were me loath to see you dishonoured. And that is
the cause I take upon me more for to do for damosels and maidens than
ever I did to-fore, that men should understand my joy and my delight
is my pleasure to have ado for damosels and maidens.
CHAPTER II. HOW THE QUEEN COMMANDED SIR
LAUNCELOT TO AVOID THE COURT, AND OF THE
SORROW THAT LAUNCELOT MADE
LL this while the queen stood still and let Sir Launcelot say
what he would. And when he had all said she brast out
a- weeping, and so she sobbed and wept a great while. And
when she might speak she said: Launcelot, now I well
understand that thou art a false recreant knight and a common lecher,
and lovest and boldest other ladies, and by me thou hast disdain and
scorn. For wit thou well, she said, now I understand thy falsehood,
and therefore shall I never love thee no more. And never be thou so
hardy to come in my sight ; and right here I discharge thee this court,
that thou never come within it ; and I forfend thee my fellowship, and
upon pain of thy head that thou see me no more. Right so Sir Launce-
lot departed with great heaviness, that unnethe he might sustain him-
self for great dole-making.
Then he called Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel, and
Chap. 3 HOW THE QUEEN MADE A DINNER 79
told them how the queen had forfended him the court, and so he was
in will to depart into his own country. Fair sir, said Sir Bors de Ganis,
ye shall not depart out of this land by mine advice. Ye must remember
in what honour ye are renowned, and called the noblest knight of the
world ; and many great matters ye have in hand. And women in their
hastiness will do ofttimes that sore repenteth them ; and therefore by
mine advice ye shall take your horse, and ride to the good hermitage
here beside Windsor, that sometime was a good knight, his name is
Sir Brasias, and there shall ye abide till I send you word of better tid-
ings. Brother, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well I am full loath to depart
out of this realm, but the queen hath defended me so highly, that
meseemeth she will never be my good lady as she hath been. Say ye
never so, said Sir Bors, for many times or this time she hath been wroth
with you, and after it she was the first that repented it. Ye say well,
said Launcelot, for now will I do by your counsel, and take mine horse
and my harness, and ride to the hermit Sir Brasias, and there will I
repose me until I hear some manner of tidings from you; but, fair
brother, I pray you get me the love of my lady, Queen Guenever, an
ye may. Sir, said Sir Bors, ye need not to move me of such matters, for
well ye wot I will do what I may to please you.
And then the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, departed with right
heavy cheer suddenly, that none earthly creature wist of him, nor
where he was become, but Sir Bors. So when Sir Launcelot was
departed, the queen outward made no manner of sorrow in showing to
none of his blood nor to none other. But wit ye well, inwardly, as the
book saith, she took great thought, but she bare it out with a proud
countenance as though she felt nothing nor danger.
CHAPTER III. HOW AT A DINNER THAT THE QUEEN
MADE THERE WAS A KNIGHT ENPOISONED, WHICH
SIR MADOR LAID ON THE QUEEN
then the queen let make a privy dinner in London unto the
knights of the Round Table. And all was for to show out-
ward that she had as great joy in all other knights of the
Table Round as she had in Sir Launcelot. All only at that
dinner she had Sir Gawaine and his brethren, that is for to say Sir
Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir Mordred. Also there was
Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir
so LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir Palo-
mides, Safere his brother, Sir La Cote Male Taile, Sir Persant, Sir
Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Mador de la Porte,
Sir Patrise, a knight of Ireland, Aliduk, Sir Astamore, and Sir Pinel
le Savage, the which was cousin to Sir Lamorak de Galis, the good
knight that Sir Gawaine and his brethren slew by treason. And so
these four-and-twenty knights should dine with the queen in a privy
place by themself, and there was made a great feast of all manner of
dainties.
But Sir Gawaine had a custom that he used daily at dinner and at
supper, that he loved well all manner of fruit, and in especial apples
and pears. And therefore whosomever dined or feasted Sir Gawaine
would commonly purvey for good fruit for him, and so did the queen
for to please Sir Gawaine ; she let purvey for him all manner of fruit,
for Sir Gawaine was a passing hot knight of nature. And this Pinel
hated Sir Gawaine because of his kinsman Sir Lamorak de Galis; and
therefore for pure envy and hate Sir Pinel enpoisoned certain apples
for to enpoison Sir Gawaine. And so this was well unto the end of the
meat; and so it befell by misfortune a good knight named Patrise,
cousin unto Sir Mador de la Porte, to take a poisoned apple. And
when he had eaten it he swelled so till he brast, and there Sir Patrise
fell down suddenly dead among them.
Then every knight leapt from the board ashamed, and araged for
wrath, nigh out of their wits. For they wist not what to say; consider-
ing Queen Guenever made the feast and dinner, they all had suspicion
unto her. My lady, the queen, said Gawaine, wit ye well, madam, that
this dinner was made for me, for all folks that know my condition
understand that I love well fruit, and now I see well I had near been
slain ; therefore, madam, I dread me lest ye will be shamed. Then the
queen stood still and was sore abashed, that she nist not what to say.
This shall not so be ended, said Sir Mador de la Porte, for here have
I lost a full noble knight of my blood ; and therefore upon this shame
and despite I will be revenged to the utterance. And there openly Sir
Mador appealed the queen of the death of his cousin, Sir Patrise.
Then stood they all still, that none would speak a word against him,
for they all had great suspicion unto the queen because she let make
that dinner. And the queen was so abashed that she could none other
ways do, but wept so heartily that she fell in a swoon. With this noise
Chap. 4 THE QUEEN APPEACHED OF TREASON si
and cry came to them King Arthur, and when he wist of that trouble
he was a passing heavy man.
CHAPTER IV. HOW SIR MADOR APPEACHED THE
QUEEN OF TREASON, AND THERE WAS NO KNIGHT
WOULD FIGHT FOR HER AT THE FIRST TIME
ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever he
appealed the queen of treason ; for the custom was such that
time that all manner of shameful death was called treason.
Fair lords, said King Arthur, me repenteth of this trouble,
but the case is so I may not have ado in this matter, for I must be a
rightful judge ; and that repenteth me that I may not do battle for my
wife, for as I deem this deed came never by her. And therefore I sup-
pose she shall not be all distained, but that some good knight shall put
his body in jeopardy for my queen rather than she shall be brent in a
wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Mador, be not so hasty, for it may
happen she shall not be all friendless ; and therefore desire thou thy
day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good knight that shall
answer you, or else it were to me great shame, and to all my court.
My gracious lord, said Sir Mador, ye must hold me excused, for
though ye be our king in that degree, ye are but a knight as we are,
and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well as we; and therefore I
beseech you that ye be not displeased, for there is none of the four-
and-twenty knights that were bidden to this dinner but all they have
great suspicion unto the queen. What say ye all, my lords ? said Sir
Mador. Then they answered by and by that they could not excuse the
queen; for why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her
or by her servants. Alas, said the queen, I made this dinner for a good
intent, and never for none evil, so Almighty God me help in my right,
as I was never purposed to do such evil deeds, and that I report me
unto God.
My lord, the king, said Sir Mador, I require you as ye be a righteous
king give me a day that I may have justice. Well, said the king, I give
the day this day fifteen days that thou be ready armed on horseback
in the meadow beside Westminster. And if it so fall that there be any
knight to encounter with you, there mayst thou do the best, and God
speed the right. And if it so fall that there be no knight at that day,
then must my queen be burnt, and there she shall be ready to have her
iv m
82 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
judgment. I am answered, said Sir Mador. And every knight went
where it liked them.
So when the king and the queen were together the king asked the
queen how this case befell. The queen answered : So God me help, I
wot not how or in what manner. Where is Sir Launcelot ? said King
Arthur ; an he were here he would not grudge to do battle for you. Sir,
said the queen, I wot not where he is, but his brother and his kinsmen
deem that he be not within this realm. That me repenteth, said King
Arthur, for an he were here he would soon stint this strife. Then I will
counsel you, said the king, and unto Sir Bors : That ye will do battle
for her for Sir Launcelot's sake, and upon my life he will not refuse
you. For well I see, said the king, that none of these four-and-twenty
knights that were with you at your dinner where Sir Patrise was slain,
that will do battle for you, nor none of them will say well of you, and
that shall be a great slander for you in this court. Alas, said the queen,
and I may not do withal, but now I miss Sir Launcelot, for an he were
here he would put me soon to my heart's ease. What aileth you, said
the king, ye cannot keep Sir Launcelot upon your side? For wit ye
well, said the king, who that hath Sir Launcelot upon his part hath the
most man of worship in the world upon his side. Now go your way,
said the king unto the queen, and require Sir Bors to do battle for you
for Sir Launcelot's sake.
CHAPTER V. HOW THE QUEEN REQUIRED SIR BORS
TO FIGHT FOR HER, AND HOW HE GRANTED UPON
CONDITION; AND HOW HE WARNED SIR LAUNCELOT
THEREOF
)O the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir Bors into
her chamber. And when he was come she besought him of
i succour. Madam, said he, what would ye that I did ? for I may
not with my worship have ado in this matter, because I was at
the same dinner, for dread that any of those knights would have me in
suspicion. Also, madam, said Sir Bors, now miss ye Sir Launcelot, for
he would not have failed you neither in right nor in wrong, as ye have
well proved when ye have been in danger; and now ye have driven
him out of this country, by whom ye and all we were daily worshipped
by; therefore, madam, I marvel how ye dare for shame require me to
do any thing for you, in so much ye have chased him out of your coun-
Chap. 5 THE QUEEN AND SIR BORS 83
try by whom we were borne up and honoured. Alas, fair knight, said
the queen, I put me wholly in your grace, and all that is done amiss I
will amend as ye will counsel me. And therewith she kneeled down
upon both her knees, and besought Sir Bors to have mercy upon her :
Outher I shall have a shameful death, and thereto I never offended.
Right so came King Arthur, and found the queen kneeling afore Sir
Bors ; then Sir Bors pulled her up, and said : Madam, ye do me great
dishonour. Ah, gentle knight, said the king, have mercy upon my
queen, courteous knight, for I am now in certain she is untruly defamed.
And therefore, courteous knight, said the king, promise her to do battle
for her, I require you for the love of Sir Launcelot. My lord, said Sir
Bors, ye require me the greatest thing that any man may require me ;
and wit ye well if I grant to do battle for the queen I shall wrath many
of my fellowship of the Table Round. But as for that, said Bors, I will
grant my lord that for my lord Sir Launcelot's sake, and for your sake
I will at that day be the queen's champion unless that there come by
adventure a better knight than I am to do battle for her. Will ye pro-
mise me this, said the king, by your faith ? Yea sir, said Sir Bors, of
that I will not fail you, nor her both, but if there come a better knight
than I am, and then shall he have the battle. Then was the king and
the queen passing glad, and so departed, and thanked him heartily.
So then Sir Bors departed secretly upon a day, and rode unto Sir
Launcelot thereas he was with the hermit, Sir Brasias, and told him of
all their adventure. Ah Jesu, said Sir Launcelot, this is come happily
as I would have it, and therefore I pray you make you ready to do
battle, but look that ye tarry till ye see me come, as long as ye may.
For I am sureMador is an hot knight when he is enchafed, for the more
ye suffer him the hastier will he be to battle. Sir, said Bors, let me deal
with him, doubt ye not ye shall have all your will. Then departed Sir
Bors from him and came to the court again. Then was it noised in all
the court that Sir Bors should do battle for the queen ; wherefore many
knights were displeased with him, that he would take upon him to do
battle in the queen's quarrel ; for there were but few knights in all the
court but they deemed the queen was in the wrong, and that she had
done that treason.
So Sir Bors answered thus to his fellows of the Table Round : Wit
ye well, my fair lords, it were shame to us all an we suffered to see the
most noble queen of the world to be shamed openly, considering her
84 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
lord and our lord is the man of most worship in the world, and most
christened, and he hath ever worshipped us all in all places. Many
answered him again : As for our most noble King Arthur, we love him
and honour him as well as ye do, but as for Queen Guenever we love
her not, because she is a destroyer of good knights. Fair lords, said
Sir Bors, meseemeth ye say not as ye should say, for never yet in my
days knew I never nor heard say that ever she was a destroyer of any
good knight. But at all times as far as ever I could know she was a
maintainer of good knights; and ever she hath been large and free of
her goods to all good knights, and the most bounteous lady of her gifts
and her good grace, that ever I saw or heard speak of. And therefore
it were shame, said Sir Bors, to us all to our most noble king's wife, an
we suffered her to be shamefully slain. And wit ye well, said Sir Bors,
I will not suffer it, for I dare say so much, the queen is not guilty of Sir
Patrise's death, for she owed him never none ill will, nor none of the
four-and -twenty knights that were at that dinner; for I dare say for
good love she bade us to dinner, and not for no mal engine, and that I
doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for howsomever the game goeth,
there was treason among us. Then some said to Sir Bors : We may
well believe your words. And so some of them were well pleased, and
some were not so.
CHAPTER VI. HOW AT THE DAY SIR BORS MADE HIM
READY FOR TO FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN; AND WHEN
HE WOULD FIGHT HOW ANOTHER DISCHARGED HIM
^ — I I — ^HE day came on fast until the even that the battle should
be. Then the queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him how he
was disposed. Truly madam, said he, I am disposed in like-
wise as I promised you, that is for to say I shall not fail you,
unless by adventure there come a better knight than I am to do battle
for you, then, madam, am I discharged of my promise. Will ye, said
the queen, that I tell my lord Arthur thus? Do as it shall please you,
madam. Then the queen went unto the king and told him the answer
of Sir Bors. Have ye no doubt, said the king, of Sir Bors, for I call him
now one of the best knights of the world, and the most profitablestman.
And thus it passed on until the morn, and the king and the queen and
all manner of knights that were there at that time drew them unto the
meadow beside Westminster where the battle should be. And so
Chap. 6 HOW BORS MADE READY TO FIGHT 85
when the king was come with the queen and many knights of the
Round Table, then the queen was put there in the Constable's ward,
and a great fire made about an iron stake, that an SirMadorde la Porte
had the better, she should be burnt : such custom was used in those
days, that neither for favour, neither for love nor affinity, there should
be none other but righteous judgment, as well upon a king as upon a
knight, and as well upon a queen as upon another poor lady.
So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la Porte, and took his
oath afore the king, that the queen did this treason until his cousin Sir
Patrise, and unto his oath he would prove it with his body, hand for
hand, who that would say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors de
Ganis, and said : That as for Queen Guenever she is in the right, and
that will I make good with my hands that she is not culpable of this
treason that is put upon her. Then make thee ready, said Sir Mador,
and we shall prove whether thou be in the right or I. Sir Mador, said
Sir Bors, wit thou well I know you for a good knight. Not for then I
shall not fear you so greatly, but I trust to God I shall be able to with-
stand your malice. But this much have I promised my lord Arthur and
my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this case to the utter-
most, unless that there come a better knight than I am and discharge
me. Is that all ? said Sir Mador, either come thou off and do battle with
me, or else say nay. Take your horse, said Sir Bors, and as I suppose,
ye shall not tarry long but ye shall be answered.
Then either departed to their tents and made them ready to horse-
back as they thought best. And anon Sir Mador came into the field
with his shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand ; and so rode
about the place crying unto Arthur : Bid your champion come forth an
he dare. Then was Sir Bors ashamed and took his horse and came to
the lists' end. And then was he ware where came from a wood there
fast by a knight all armed, upon a white horse, with a strange shield of
strange arms ; and he came riding all that he might run, and so he came
to Sir Bors, and said thus : Fair knight, I pray you be not displeased,
for here must a better knight than ye are have this battle, therefore I
pray you withdraw you. For wit ye well I have had this day a right
great journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and so I promised you
when I spake with you last, and with all my heart I thank you of your
goodwill. Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur and told him how there
was a knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the queen.
86 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
What knight is he? said the king. I wot not, said Sir Bors, but such
covenant he made with me to be here this day. Now my lord, said Sir
Bors, here am I discharged.
CHAPTER VI I. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUGHT AGAINST
SIR MADOR FOR THE QUEEN, AND HOW HE OVERCAME
SIR MADOR, AND DISCHARGED THE QUEEN
|> — I I — ^HEN the king called to that knight, and asked him if he
would fight for the queen. Then he answered to the king :
Therefore came I hither, and therefore, sir king, he said,
tarry me no longer, for I may not tarry. For anon as I have
finished this battle I must depart hence, for I have ado many matters
elsewhere. For wit you well, said that knight, this is dishonour to you
all knights of the Round Table, to see and know so noble a lady and
so courteous a queen as Queen Guenever is, thus to be rebuked and
shamed amongst you. Then they all marvelled what knight that might
be that so took the battle upon him. For there was not one that knew
him, but if it were Sir Bors.
Then said SirMador de la Porte unto the king : Now let me wit with
whom I shall have ado withal. And then they rode to the lists' end, and
there they couched their spears, and ran together with all their might,
and Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held,
and bare Sir Mador's horse and all backward to the earth a great fall.
But mightily and suddenly he avoided his horse and put his shield
afore him, and then drew his sword, and bade the other knight alight
and do battle with him on foot. Then that knight descended from his
horse lightly like a valiant man, and put his shield afore him and drew
his sword ; and so they came eagerly unto battle, and either gave other
many great strokes, tracing and traversing, racing and foining, and
hurtling together with their swords as it were wild boars. Thus were
they fighting nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and
mightily proved in many strong battles. But at the last this knight
smote Sir Mador grovelling upon the earth, and the knight stepped
near him to have pulled Sir Mador flailing upon the ground ; and there-
with suddenly Sir Mador arose, and in his rising he smote that knight
through the thick of the thighs that the blood ran out fiercely. And
when he felt himself so wounded, and saw his blood, he let him arise
upon his feet. And then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that
Chap. 7 HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT MADOR 87
he fell to the earth flatling, and therewith he strode to him to have
pulled off his helm off his head. And then Sir Mador prayed that
knight to save his life, and so he yielded him as overcome, and released
the queen of his quarrel. I will not grant thee thy life, said that knight,
only that thou freely release the queen for ever, and that no mention
be made upon Sir Patrise's tomb that ever Queen Guenever consented
to that treason. All this shall be done, said Sir Mador, I clearly dis-
charge my quarrel for ever.
Then the knights parters of the lists took up Sir Mador, and led him
to his tent, and the other knight went straight to the stair-foot where
sat King Arthur ; and by that time was the queen come to the king, and
either kissed other heartily. And when the king saw that knight, he
stooped down to him, and thanked him, and in likewise did the queen;
and the king prayed him to put off his helmet, and to repose him, and
to take a sop of wine. And then he put off his helm to drink, and then
every knight knew him that it was Sir Launcelot du Lake. Anon as
the king wist that, he took the queen in his hand, and yode unto Sir
Launcelot, and said : Sir, grant mercy of your great travail that ye
have had this day for me and for my queen. My lord, said Sir Launce-
lot, wit ye well I ought of right ever to be in your quarrel, and in my
lady the queen's quarrel, to do battle ; for ye are the man that gave me
the high order of knighthood, and that day my lady, your queen, did
me great worship, and else I had been shamed ; for that same day ye
made me knight, through my hastiness I lost my sword, and my lady,
your queen, found it, and lapped it in her train, and gave me my sword
when I had need thereto, and else had I been shamed among all knights ;
and therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her at that day ever to be
her knight in right outher in wrong. Grant mercy, said the king,
for this journey; and wit ye well, said the king, I shall acquit your
goodness.
And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept so tenderly
that she sank almost to the ground for sorrow that he had done to her
so great goodness where she shewed him great unkindness. Then the
knights of his blood drew unto him, and there either of them made
great joy of other. And so came all the knights of the Table Round
that were there at that time, and welcomed him. And then Sir Mador
was had to leech-craft, and Sir Launcelot was healed of his wound.
And then there was made great joy and mirths in that court.
88 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
CHAPTER VIII. HOW THE TRUTH WAS KNOWN BY
THE MAIDEN OF THE LAKE, AND OF DIVERS OTHER
MATTERS
~"\\ ND so it befell that the damosel of the lake, her name was
yy\\ Nimue, the which wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas, and
I A so she came to the court ; for ever she did great goodness unto
**zL JA^ King Arthur and to all his knights through her sorcery and
enchantments. And so when she heard how the queen was an-angered
for the death of Sir Patrise, then she told it openly that she was never
guilty; and there she disclosed by whom it was done, and named him,
Sir Pinel ; and for what cause he did it, there it was openly disclosed ;
and so the queen was excused, and the knight Pinel fled into his coun-
try. Then was it openly known that Sir Pinel enpoisoned the apples
at the feast to that intent to have destroyed Sir Gawaine, because Sir
Gawaine and his brethren destroyed Sir Lamorak de Galis, to the
which Sir Pinel was cousin unto. Then was Sir Patrise buried in the
church of Westminster in a tomb, and thereupon was written : Here
lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, slain by Sir Pinel le Savage, that enpoisoned
apples to have slain Sir Gawaine, and by misfortune Sir Patrise ate
one of those apples, and then suddenly he brast. Also there was written
upon the tomb that Queen Guenever was appealed of treason of the
death of Sir Patrise, by Sir Mador de la Porte ; and there was made
mention how Sir Launcelot fought with him for Queen Guenever, and
overcame him in plain battle. All this was written upon the tomb of
Sir Patrise in excusing of the queen. And then Sir Mador sued daily
and long, to have the queen's good grace ; and so by the means of Sir
Launcelot he caused him to stand in the queen's good grace, and all
was forgiven.
Thus it passed on till our Lady Day, Assumption. Within a fifteen
days of that feast the king let cry a great jousts and a tournament that
should be at that day at Camelot, that is Winchester ; and the king let
cry that he and the King of Scots would joust against all that would
come against them. And when this cry was made, thither came many
knights. So there came thither the King of Northgalis, and King
Anguish of Ireland, and the King with the Hundred Knights, and
Galahad, the haut prince, and the King of Northumberland, and many
other noble dukes and earls of divers countries. So King Arthur made
Chap. 9 OF THE MAIDEN OF ASTOLAT 89
him ready to depart to these jousts, and would have had the queen
with him, but at that time she would not, she said, for she was sick and
might not ride at that time. That me repenteth, said the king, for this
seven year ye saw not such a noble fellowship together except at
Whitsuntide when Galahad departed from the court. Truly, said the
queen to the king, ye must hold me excused, I may not be there, and
that me repenteth. And many deemed the queen would not be there
because of Sir Launcelot du Lake, for Sir Launcelot would not ride
with the king, for he said that he was not whole of the wound the which
Sir Mador had given him ; wherefore the king was heavy and passing
wroth. And so he departed toward Winchester with his fellowship ;
and so by the way the king lodged in a town called Astolat, that is now
in English called Guild ford, and there the king lay in the castle.
So when the king was departed the queen called Sir Launcelot to
her, and said thus : Sir Launcelot, ye are greatly to blame thus to hold
you behind my lord ; what, trow ye, what will your enemies and mine
say and deem? nought else but, See how Sir Launcelot holdeth him
ever behind the king, and so doth the queen, for that they would have
their pleasure together. And thus will they say, said the queen to Sir
Launcelot, have ye no doubt thereof.
CHAPTER IX. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE TO ASTO-
LAT, AND RECEIVED A SLEEVE TO WEAR UPON HIS
HELM AT THE REQUEST OF A MAID
'ADAM, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit, it is of late
come since ye were wise. And therefore, madam, at this
time I will be ruled by your counsel, and this night I will
, take my rest, and to-morrow by time I will take my way
toward Winchester. But wit you well, said Sir Launcelot to the queen,
that at that jousts I will be against the king, and against all his fellow-
ship. Ye may there do as ye list, said the queen, but by my counsel ye
shall not be against your king and your fellowship. For therein be
full many hard knights of your blood, as ye wot well enough, it needeth
not to rehearse them. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I pray you that ye
be not displeased with me, for I will take the adventure that God will
send me.
And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass, and brake
his fast, and so took his leave of the queen and departed. And then he
iv n
90 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
rode so much until he came to Astolat, that is Guild ford ; and there it
happed him in the eventide he came to an old baron's place that hight
Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into his lodging,
King Arthur espied him as he did walk in a garden beside the castle,
how he took his lodging, and knew him full well. It is well, said King
Arthur unto the knights that were with him in that garden beside the
castle, I have now espied one knight that will play his play at the
jousts to the which we be gone toward ; I undertake he will do marvels.
Who is that, we pray you tell us? said many knights that were there at
that time. Ye shall not wit for me, said the king, as at this time. And
so the king smiled, and went to his lodging.
So when Sir Launcelot was in his lodging, and unarmed him in his
chamber, the old baron and hermit came to him making his reverence,
and welcomed him in the best manner ; but the old knight knew not
Sir Launcelot. Fair sir, said Sir Launcelot to his host, I would pray
you to lend me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is well
known. Sir, said his host, ye shall have your desire, for meseemeth ye
be one of the likeliest knights of the world, and therefore I shall shew
you friendship. Sir, wit you well I have two sons that were but late
made knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that
same day he was made knight, that he may not ride, and his shield ye
shall have ; for that is not known I dare say but here, and in no place
else. And my youngest son hight Lavaine, and if it please you, he
shall ride with you unto that jousts ; and he is of his age strong and
wight, for much my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a noble
knight, therefore I pray you, tell me your name, said Sir Bernard. As
for that, said Sir Launcelot, ye must hold me excused as at this time,
and if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts I shall come again
and tell you. But I pray you, said Sir Launcelot, in any wise let me
have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and that I may have his brother's
shield. All this shall be done, said Sir Bernard.
This old baron had a daughter that was called that time the Fair
Maiden of Astolat. And ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully;
and as the book saith, she cast such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she
could never withdraw her love, wherefore she died, and her name was
Elaine le Blank. So thus as she came to and fro she was so hot in her
love that she besought Sir Launcelot to wear upon him at the jousts a
token of hers. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, an if I grant you that,
Chap. 10 OF THE TOURNEY AT WINCHESTER 91
ye may say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or damosel.
Then he remembered him he would go to the jousts disguised. And
because he had never fore that time borne no manner of token of no
damosel, then he bethought him that he would bear one of her, that
none of his blood thereby might know him, and then he said : Fair
maiden, I will grant you to wear a token of yours upon mine helmet,
and therefore what it is, shew it me. Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve of
mine, of scarlet, well embroidered with great pearls: and so she
brought it him. So Sir Launcelot received it, and said : Never did I
erst so much for no damosel. And then Sir Launcelot betook the fair
maiden his shield in keeping, and prayed her to keep that until that he
came again ; and so that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for
ever the damosel Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while she
might be suffered.
CHAPTER X. HOW THE TOURNEY BEGAN AT WIN-
CHESTER, AND WHAT KNIGHTS WERE AT THE JOUSTS ;
AND OTHER THINGS
)O upon a day, on the morn, King Arthur and all his knights
departed, for their king had tarried three days to abide his
noble knights. And so when the king was ridden, Sir Launce-
lot and Sir Lavaine made them ready to ride, and either of
them had white shields, and the red sleeve Sir Launcelot let carry
with him. And so they took their leave at Sir Bernard, the old baron,
and at his daughter, the Fair Maiden of Astolat. And then they rode
so long till that they came to Camelot, that time called Winchester;
and there was great press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and many
noble knights. But there Sir Launcelot was lodged privily by the
means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess, that no man in that town was
ware what they were. And so they reposed them there till our Lady
Day, Assumption, as the great feast should be. So then trumpets blew
unto the field, and King Arthur was set on high upon a scaffold to
behold who did best. But as the French book saith.the king would not
suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine the
better an Sir Launcelot were in the field ; and many times was Sir
Gawaine rebuked when Launcelot came into any jousts disguised.
Then some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of
Scots, were that time turned upon the side of King Arthur. And then
92 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
on the other party was the King of Northgalis, and the King with the
Hundred Knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad,
the haut prince. But these three kings and this duke were passing
weak to hold against King Arthur's party, for with him were the
noblest knights of the world. So then they with drew them eitherparty
from other, and every man made him ready in his best manner to do
what he might.
Then Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon
his head, and fastened it fast; and so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine
departed out of Winchester privily, and rode until a little leaved wood
behind the party that held against King Arthur's party, and there they
held them still till the parties smote together. And then came in the
King of Scots and the King of Ireland on Arthur's party, and against
them came the King of Northumberland, and the King with the Hun-
dred Knights smote down the King of Northumberland, and the King
with the Hundred Knights smote down King Anguish of Ireland. Then
Sir Palomides that was on Arthur's party encountered with Sir Gala-
had, and either of them smote down other, and either party halp their
lords on horseback again. So there began a strong assail upon both
parties. And then came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore le Desirous,
Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le Fise de
Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy,
Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, Sir Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen
knights were knights of the Table Round. So these with more other
came in together, and beat aback the King of Northumberland and the
King of Northgalis. When Sir Launcelot saw this, as he hoved in a
little leaved wood, then he said unto Sir Lavaine : See yonder is a
company of good knights, and they hold them together as boars that
were chafed with dogs. That is truth, said Sir Lavaine.
CHAPTER XI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LAVAINE
ENTERED IN THE FIELD AGAINST THEM OF KING
ARTHUR'S COURT, AND HOW LAUNCELOT WAS HURT
'OW, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye shall
see yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in our
side, that they shall go as fast backward as they went for-
ward. Sir, spare not, said Sir Lavaine, for I shall do what I
may. Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of
Chap, n OF LAUNCELOT AND LAVAINE 93
the press, and there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir
Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, and all this he did with
one spear ; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir
Bedevere. And then Sir Launcelot gat another spear, and there he
smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, and Sir
Meliot de Logris; and Sir Lavaine smote Ozanna le Cure Hardy. And
then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and there he smote on the right
hand and on the left hand, and by great force he unhorsed Sir Safere,
Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron; and then the knights of the Table
Round withdrew them aback, after they had gotten their horses as
well as they might. O mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is
yonder that doth so marvellous deeds of arms in that field? I wot well
what he is, said King Arthur, but as at this time I will not name him.
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I would say it were Sir Launcelot by his riding
and his buffets that I see him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not be
he, for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head ; for I wist him
never bear token at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman. Let him be,
said King Arthur, he will be better known, and do more, or ever he
depart.
Then the party that was against King Arthur were well comforted,
and then they held them together that beforehand were sore rebuked.
Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them
the knights of their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir
Aliduke, SirGalihud, SirGalihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse. So these
nine knights of Sir Launcelot's kin thrust in mightily, for they were all
noble knights ; and they, of great hate and despite that they had unto
him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir La-
vaine, for they knew them not ; and so they came hurling together, and
smote down many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And
when Sir Launcelot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand ; and
there encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir
Lionel, and all they three smote him at once with their spears. And
with force of themself they smote Sir Launcelot's horse to the earth ;
and by misfortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the shield
into the side, and the spear brake, and the head left still in his side.
When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground, he ran to the
King of Scots and smote him to the earth ; and by great force he took
his horse, and brought him to Sir Launcelot, and maugre of them all
94 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
he made him to mount upon that horse. And then Launcelot gat a spear
in his hand, and there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man, to the earth.
In the same wise he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel ; and Sir Lavaine
smote down Sir Blamore de Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot drew his
sword, for he felt himself so sore y-hurt that he weened there to have
had his death. And then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet on the
helm that he fell down to the earth in a swoon. And in the same wise
he served Sir Aliduke and SirGalihud. And Sir Lavaine smote down
Sir Bellangere, that was the son of Alisander le Orphelin.
And by this was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came with Sir Ector
and Sir Lionel, and all they three smote with swords upon Sir Launce-
lot's helmet. And when he felt their buffets and his wound, the which
was so grievous, then he thought to do what he might while he might
endure. And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet that he made him
bow his head passing low ; and therewithal he raced off his helm, and
might have slain him ; and so pulled him down, and in the same wise
he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel. For as the book saith he might
have slain them, but when he saw their visages his heart might not
serve him thereto, but left them there. And then afterward he hurled
into the thickest press of them all, and did there the marvelloust deeds
of arms that ever man saw or heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine,
the good knight, with him. And there Sir Launcelot with his sword
smote down and pulled down, as the French book maketh mention,
mo than thirty knights, and the most part were of the Table Round ;
and Sir Lavaine did full well that day, for he smote down ten knights of
the Table Round.
CHAPTER XI I. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LAVAINE
DEPARTED OUT OFTHE FIELD, AND IN WHAT JEOPARDY
LAUNCELOT WAS
"ERCY Jesu, said Sir Gawaine to Arthur, I marvel what
knight that he is with the red sleeve. Sir, said King
Arthur, he will be known or he depart. And then the
king blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
heralds unto the knight with the white shield that bare the red sleeve.
Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, the King of North-
galis, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the haut
prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot : Fair knight, God thee bless, for
Chap. 12 HOW LAUNCELOT WAS WOUNDED 95
much have ye done this day for us, therefore we pray you that ye will
come with us that ye may receive the honour and the prize as ye have
worshipfully deserved it. My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you
well if I have deserved thanks I have sore bought it, and that me
repenteth, for I am like never to escape with my life ; therefore, fair
lords, I pray you that ye will suffer me to depart where me liketh, for
I am sore hurt. I take none force of none honour, for I had liefer to
repose me than to be lord of all the world . And therewithal he groaned
piteously, and rode a great wallop away- ward from them until he came
under a wood's side.
And when he saw that he was from the field nigh a mile, that he
was sure he might not be seen, then he said with an high voice : O
gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, help me that this truncheon were out of my
side, for it sticketh so sore that it nigh slayeth me. O mine own lord,
said Sir Lavaine, I would fain do that might please you, but I dread
me sore an I pull out the truncheon that ye shall be in peril of death. I
charge you, said Sir Launcelot, as ye love me, draw it out. And there-
withal he descended from his horse, and right so did Sir Lavaine; and
forthwithal Sir Lavaine drew the truncheon out of his side, and he
gave a great shriek and a marvellous grisly groan, and the blood brast
out nigh a pint at once, that at the last he sank down upon his buttocks,
and so swooned pale and deadly. Alas, said Sir Lavaine, what shall I
do? And then he turned Sir Launcelot into the wind, but so he lay
there nigh half an hour as he had been dead.
And so at the last Sir Launcelot cast up his eyes, and said : O
Lavaine, help me that I were on my horse, for here is fast by within
this two mile a gentle hermit that sometime was a full noble knight and
a great lord of possessions. And for great goodness he hath taken him
to wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands, and his name is Sir Baud-
win of Brittany, and he is a full noble surgeon and a good leech. Now
let see, help me up that I were there, for ever my heart giveth me that
I shall never die of my cousin-germain's hands. And then with great
pain Sir Lavaine halphim upon his horse. And then they rode a great
wallop together, and ever Sir Launcelot bled that it ran down to the
earth ; and so by fortune they came to that hermitage the which was
under a wood, and a great cliff on the other side, and a fair water run-
ning under it. And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate with the butt of
his spear, and cried fast : Let in for Jesu's sake.
96 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
And there came a fair child to them, and asked them what they
would. Fair son, said Sir Lavaine, go and pray thy lord, the hermit,
for God's sake to let in here a knight that is full sore wounded ; and
this day tell thy lord I saw him do more deeds of arms than ever I heard
say that any man did. So the child went in lightly, and then he brought
the hermit, the which was a passing good man. When Sir Lavaine
saw him he prayed him for God's sake of succour. What knight is he?
said the hermit. Is he of the house of King Arthur, or not? I wot not,
said Sir Lavaine, what is he, nor what is his name, but well I wot I saw
him do marvellously this dayasof deeds of arms. On whose party was
he? said the hermit. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, he was this day against
King Arthur, and there he won the prize of all the knights of the Round
Table. I have seen the day, said the hermit, I would have loved him
the worse because he was against my lord, King Arthur, for sometime
I was one of the fellowship of the Round Table, but I thank God now
I am otherwise disposed. But where is he? let me see him. Then Sir
Lavaine brought the hermit to him.
CHAPTER XIII. HOW LAUNCELOT WAS BROUGHT TO
AN HERMIT FOR TO BE HEALED OF HIS WOUND, AND
OF OTHER MATTERS
LND when the hermit beheld him, as he sat leaning upon his
saddle-bow ever bleeding piteously, and ever the knight-
hermit thought that he should know him, but he could not
bring him to knowledge because he was so pale for bleed-
ing. What knight are ye, said the hermit, and where were ye born?
My fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, I am a stranger and a knight adven-
turous, that laboureth throughout many realms for to win worship.
Then the hermit advised him better, and saw by a wound on his cheek
that he was Sir Launcelot. Alas, said the hermit, mine own lord why
lain you your name from me? Forsooth I ought to know you of right,
for ye are the most noblest knight of the world, for well I know you for
Sir Launcelot. Sir, said he, sith ye know me, help me an ye may, for
God's sake, for I would be out of this pain at once, either to death or to
life. Have ye no doubt, said the hermit, ye shall live and fare right
well. And so the hermit called to him two of his servants, and so he
and his servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly unarmed
him, and laid him in his bed. And then anon the hermit staunched his
Chap. 13 OF LAUNCELOT AND THE HERMIT 97
blood, and made him to drink good wine, so that Sir Launcelot was
well refreshed and knew himself ; for in those days it was not the guise
of hermits as is nowadays, for there were none hermits in those days
but that they had been men of worship and of prowess ; and those
hermits held great household, and refreshed people that were in
distress.
Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave we Sir Launcelot in the
hermitage. So when the kings were come together on both parties,
and the great feast should be holden, King Arthur asked the King of
Northgalis and their fellowship, where was that knight that bare the
red sleeve : Bring him afore me that he may have his laud, and honour,
and the prize, as it is right. Then spake Sir Galahad, the haut prince,
and the King with the Hundred Knights : We suppose that knight is
mischieved, and that he is never like to see you nor none of us all, and
that is the greatest pity that ever we wist of any knight. Alas, said
Arthur, how may this be, is he so hurt? What is his name? said King
Arthur. Truly, said they all, we know not his name, nor from whence
he came, nor whither he would. Alas, said the king, this be to me the
worst tidings that came to me this seven year, for I would not for all
the lands I wield to know and wit it were so that that noble knight were
slain. Know ye him ? said they all. As for that, said Arthur, whether
I know him or know him not, ye shall not know for me what man he is,
but Almighty Jesu send me good tidings of him. And so said they all.
By my head, said Sir Gawaine, if it so be that the good knight be so
sore hurt, it is great damage and pity to all this land, for he is one of the
noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle a spear or a sword ;
and if he may be found I shall find him, for I am sure he nis not far from
this town. Bear you well, said King Arthur, an ye may find him, unless
that he be in such a plight that he may not wield himself. Jesu defend,
said Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he is, an I may find him.
Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon hackneys, and
rode all about Camelot within six or seven mile, but so he came again
and could hear no word of him. Then within two days King Arthur
and all the fellowship returned unto London again. And so as they
rode by the way it happed Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir
Bernard thereas was Sir Launcelot lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine
was in his chamber to repose him Sir Bernard, the old baron, came
unto him, and his daughter Elaine, to cheer him and to ask him what
iv o
98 LE MORTE D ARTHUR Book XVIII
tidings, and who did best at that tournament of Winchester. So God
me help, said Sir Gawaine, there were two knights that bare two white
shields, but the one of them bare a red sleeve upon his head, and cer-
tainly he was one of the best knights that ever I saw joust in field. For
I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, that one knight with the red sleeve smote
down forty knights of the Table Round, and his fellow did right well
and worshipfully. Now blessed be God, said the Fair Maiden of Asto-
lat, that that knight sped so well, for he is the man in the world that I
first loved, and truly he shall be last that ever I shall love. Now, fair
maid, said Sir Gawaine, is that good knight your love ? Certainly sir,
said she, wit ye well he is my love. Then know ye his name ? said Sir
Gawaine. Nay truly, said the damosel, I know not his name nor from
whence he cometh, but to say that I love him, I promise you and God
that I love him. How had ye knowledge of him first ? said Sir Gawaine.
CHAPTER XIV. HOW SIR GAWAINE WAS LODGED WITH
THE LORD OF ASTOLAT, AND THERE HAD KNOW-
LEDGE THAT IT WAS SIR LAUNCELOT THAT BARE
THE RED SLEEVE
she told him as ye have heard to-fore, and how her
father betook him her brother to do him service, and how
her father lent him her brother's, Sir Tirre's, shield : And
here with me he left his own shield. For what cause did he
so? said Sir Gawaine. For this cause, said the damosel, for his shield
was too well known among many noble knights. Ah fair damosel, said
Sir Gawaine, please it you let me have a sight of that shield. Sir, said
she, it is in my chamber, covered with a case, and if ye will come with me
ye shall see it. Not so, said Sir Bernard till his daughter, let send for it.
So when the shield was come, Sir Gawaine took off the case, and
when he beheld that shield he knew anon that it was Sir Launcelot's
shield, and his own arms-. Ah Jesu mercy, said Sir Gawaine, now is my
heart more heavier than ever it was to-fore. Why? said Elaine. For
I have great cause, said Sir Gawaine. Is that knight that oweth this
shield your love? Yea truly, said she, my love he is, God would I were
his love. So God me speed, said Sir Gawaine, fair damosel ye have
right, for an he be your love ye love the most honourable knight of the
world, and the man of most worship. So me thought ever, said the
damosel, for never or that time, for no knight that ever I saw, loved I
Chap. 14 HOW GAWAINE CAME TO ASTOLAT 99
never none erst. God grant, said Sir Gawaine, that either of you may
rejoice other, but that is in a great adventure. But truly, said Sir
Gawaine unto the damosel, ye may say ye have a fair grace, for why I
have known that noble knight this four-and-twenty year, and never
or that day, I nor none other knight, I dare make good, saw nor heard
say that ever he bare token or sign of no lady, gentlewoman, ne maiden,
at no jousts nor tournament. And therefore fair maiden, said Sir
Gawaine, ye are much beholden to him to give him thanks. But I
dread me, said Sir Gawaine, that ye shall never see him in this world,
and that is great pity that ever was of earthly knight. Alas, said she,
how may this be, is he slain? I say not so, said Sir Gawaine, but wit ye
well he is grievously wounded, by all manner of signs, and by men's
sight more likelier to be dead than to be alive ; and wit ye well he is
the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, for by this shield I know him. Alas,
said the Fair Maiden of Astolat, how may this be, and what was his
hurt? Truly, said Sir Gawaine, the man in the world that loved him
best hurt him so ; and I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, an that knight that
hurt him knew the very certainty that he had hurt Sir Launcelot, it
would be the most sorrow that ever came to his heart.
Now fair father, said then Elaine, I require you give me leave to ride
and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall go out of my mind, for I shall
never stint till that I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine. Do as it
liketh you, said her father, for me sore repenteth of the hurt of that
noble knight. Right so the maid made her ready, and before Sir
Gawaine, making great dole.
Then on the morn Sir Gawaine came to King Arthur, and told him
how he had found Sir Launcelot's shield in the keeping of the Fair
Maiden of Astolat. All that knew I aforehand, said King Arthur, and
that caused me I would not suffer you to have ado at the great jousts,
for I espied, said King Arthur, when he came in till his lodging full late
in the evening in Astolat. But marvel have I, said Arthur, that ever he
would bear any sign of any damosel, for or now I never heard say nor
knew that ever he bare any token of none earthly woman. By my
head, said Sir Gawaine, the Fair Maiden of Astolat loveth him mar-
vellously well; what it meaneth I cannot say, and she is ridden after
to seek him. So the king and all came to London, and there Sir
Gawaine openly disclosed to all the court that it was Sir Launcelot
that jousted best.
ioo LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVIII
CHAPTER XV. OF THE SORROW THAT SIR BORS HAD
FOR THE HURT OF LAUNCELOT; AND OF THE ANGER
THAT THE QUEEN HAD BECAUSE LAUNCELOT BARE
THE SLEEVE
when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was an heavy
man, and so were all his kinsmen. But when Queen Guen-
ever wist that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the Fair
Maiden of Astolat she was nigh out of her mind for wrath.
And then she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis in all the haste that might be.
So when Sir Bors was come to-fore the queen, then she said : Ah Sir
Bors, have ye heard say how falsely Sir Launcelot hath betrayed me ?
Alas madam, said Sir Bors, I am afeard he hath betrayed himself and
us all. No force, said the queen, though he be destroyed, for he is a
false traitor-knight. Madam, said Sir Bors, I pray you say ye not so,
for wit you well I may not hear such language of him. Why Sir Bors,
said she, should I not call him traitor when he bare the red sleeve upon
his head at Winchester, at the great jousts? Madam, said Sir Bors,
that sleeve-bearing repenteth me sore, but I dare say he did it to none
evil intent, but for this cause he bare the red sleeve that none of his
blood should know him. For or then we, nor none of us all, never knew
that ever he bare token or sign of maid, lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on
him, said the queen, yet for all his pride and bobaunce there ye proved
yourself his better. Nay madam, say ye never more so, for he beat me
and my fellows, and might have slain us an he had would. Fie on him,
said the queen, for I heard Sir Gawaine say before my lord Arthur that
it were marvel to tell the great love that is between the Fair Maiden of
Astolat and him. Madam, said Sir Bors, I may not warn Sir Gawaine
to say what it pleased him ; but I dare say, as for my lord, Sir Launce-
lot, that he loveth no lady, gentlewoman, nor maid, but all he loveth in
like much. And therefore madam, said Sir Bors, ye may say what ye
will, but wit ye well I will haste me to seek him, and find him where-
somever he be, and God send me good tidings of him. And so leave
we them there, and speak we of Sir Launcelot that lay in great peril.
So as fair Elaine came to Winchester she sought there all about,
and by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him, to enchafe his
horse. And anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried
aloud until him. And when he heard her anon he came to her, and
then she asked her brother how did my lord, Sir Launcelot. Who told
Chap. 16 HOW SIR BORS FOUND LAUNCELOT 101
you, sister, that my lord's name was SirLauncelot? Then she told him
how Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him. So they rode together till
that they came to the hermitage, and anon she alighted.
So Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot; and when she saw
him lie so sick and pale in his bed she might not speak, but suddenly
she fell to the earth down suddenly in a swoon, and there she lay a
great while. And when she was relieved, she shrieked and said: My
lord, Sir Launcelot, alas why be ye in this plight ? and then she swooned
again. And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up :
And bring her to me. And when she came to herself Sir Launcelot
kissed her, and said : Fair maiden, why fare ye thus ? ye put me to
pain ; wherefore make ye no more such cheer, for an ye be come to
comfort me ye be right welcome ; and of this little hurt that I have I
shall be right hastily whole by the grace of God. But I marvel, said Sir
Launcelot, who told you my name? Then the fair maiden told him all
how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her father: And there by your
shield he discovered your name. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that me
repenteth that my name is known, for I am sure it will turn unto anger.
And then Sir Launcelot compassed in his mind that Sir Gawaine
would tell Queen Guenever how he bare the red sleeve, and for whom ;
that he wist well would turn into great anger.
So this maiden Elaine never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched
him day and night, and did such attendance to him, that the French
book saith there was never woman did more kindlier for man than she.
Then SirLauncelot prayed Sir Lavaine to make aspies in Winchester
for Sir Bors if he came there, and told him by what tokens he should
know him, by a wound in his forehead. For well I am sure, said Sir
Launcelot, that Sir Bors will seek me, for he is the same good knight
that hurt me.
CHAPTER XVI. HOW SIR BORS SOUGHT LAUNCELOT
AND FOUND HIM IN THE HERMITAGE, AND OF THE
LAMENTATION BETWEEN THEM
'OW turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis that came unto Win-
chester to seek after his cousin SirLauncelot. And so when
he came to Winchester, anon there were men that Sir
Lavaine had made to lie in a watch for such a man, and
anon Sir Lavaine had warning ; and then Sir Lavaine came to Win-
102 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
chester and found Sir Bors, and there he told him what he was, and
with whom he was, and what was his name. Now fair knight, said Sir
Bors, I require you that ye will bring me to my lord, Sir Launcelot.
Sir, said Sir Lavaine, take your horse, and within this hour ye shall
see him. And so they departed, and came to the hermitage.
And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot lie in his bed pale and dis-
coloured, anon Sir Bors lost his countenance, and for kindness and
pity he might not speak, but wept tenderly a great while. And then
when he might speak he said thus : O my lord, Sir Launcelot, God you
bless, and send you hasty recover ; and full heavy am I of my misfor-
tune and of mine unhappiness, for now I may call myself unhappy.
And I dread me that God is greatly displeased with me, that he would
suffer me to have such a shame for to hurt you that are all our leader,
and all our worship ; and therefore I call myself unhappy. Alas that
ever such a caitiff-knight as I am should have power by unhappiness
to hurt the most noblest knight of the world. Where I so shamefully
set upon you and overcharged you, and where ye might have slain me,
ye saved me ; and so did not I, for I and your blood did to you our utter-
ance. I marvel, said Sir Bors, that my heart or my blood would serve
me, wherefore my lord, Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy. Fair cousin,
said Sir Launcelot, ye be right welcome ; and wit ye well, overmuch
ye say for to please me, the which pleaseth me not, for why I have the
same I sought ; for I would with pride have overcome you all, and there
in my pride I was near slain, and that was in mine own default, for I
might have given you warning of my being there. And then had I had
no hurt, for it is an old said saw, there is hard battle thereas kin and
friends do battle either against other, there may be no mercy but
mortal war. Therefore, fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot, let this speech
overpass, and all shall be welcome that God sendeth ; and let us leave
off this matter and let us speak of some rejoicing, for this that is done
may not be undone ; and let us find a remedy how soon that I may be
whole.
Then Sir Bors leaned upon his bedside, and told Sir Launcelot how
the queen was passing wroth with him, because he wore the red sleeve
at the great jousts ; and there Sir Bors told him all how Sir Gawaine
discovered it : By your shield that ye left with the Fair Maiden of
Astolat. Then is the queen wroth, said Sir Launcelot, and therefore
Chap. 17 OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S WOUND 103
am I right heavy, for I deserved no wrath, for all that I did was because
I would not be known. Right so excused I you, said Sir Bors, but all
was in vain, for she said more largelier to me than I to you now. But is
this she, said Sir Bors, that is so busy about you, that men call the Fair
Maiden of Astolat ? She it is, said Sir Launcelot, that by no means I
cannot put her from me. Why should ye put her from you? said Sir
Bors, she is a passing fairdamosel, and a well beseen, and well taught;
and God would, fair cousin, said Sir Bors, that ye could love her, but
as to that I may not, nor I dare not, counsel you. But I see well, said Sir
Bors, by her diligence aboutyou that she lovethyou entirely. That me
repenteth, said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Bors, she is not the first
that hath lost her pain upon you, and that is the more pity : and so they
talked of many more things. And so within three days or four Sir
Launcelot was big and strong again.
CHAPTER XVII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ARMED HIM TO
ASSAY IF HE MIGHT BEAR ARMS, AND HOW HIS
WOUNDS BRAST OUT AGAIN
p^ — I I — ^HEN Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot how there was sworn a
great tournament and jousts betwixt King Arthur and the
King of Northgalis, that should be upon All Hallowmass
Day, beside Winchester. Is that truth ? said Sir Launcelot ;
then shall ye abide with me still a little while until that I be whole, for
I feel myself right big and strong. Blessed be God, said Sir Bors.
Then were they there nigh a month together, and ever this maiden
Elaine did ever her diligent labour night and day unto Sir Launcelot,
that there was never child nor wife more meeker to her father and
husband than was that Fair Maiden of Astolat ; wherefore Sir Bors
was greatly pleased with her.
So upon a day, by the assent of Sir Launcelot, Sir Bors, and Sir
Lavaine, they made the hermit to seek in woods for divers herbs, and
so Sir Launcelot made fair Elaine to gather herbs for him to make him
a bain. In the meanwhile Sir Launcelot made him to arm him at all
pieces ; and there he thought to assay his armour and his spear, for his
hurt or not. And so when he was upon his horse he stirred him fiercely,
and the horse was passing lusty and fresh because he was not laboured
a month afore. And then Sir Launcelot couched that spear in the rest.
104 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
That courser leapt mightily when he felt the spurs ; and he that was
upon him, the which was the noblest horse of the world, strained him
mightily and stably, and kept still the spear in the rest ; and therewith
Sir Launcelot strained himself so straitly, with so great force, to get
the horse forward, that the button of his wound brast both within and
without; and therewithal the blood came out so fiercely that he felt
himself so feeble that he might not sit upon his horse. And then Sir
Launcelot cried unto Sir Bors : Ah, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, help, for
I am come to mine end. And therewith he fell down on the one side to
the earth like a dead corpse. And then Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine
came to him with sorrow-making out of measure. And so by fortune
the maiden Elaine heard their mourning, and then she came thither;
and when she found Sir Launcelot there armed in that place she cried
and wept as she had been wood ; and then she kissed him, and did
what she might to awake him. And then she rebuked her brother and
Sir Bors, and called them false traitors, why they would take him out
of his bed ; there she cried, and said she would appeal them of his
death.
With this came the holy hermit, Sir Baud win of Brittany, and when
he found Sir Launcelot in that plight he said but little, but wit ye well
he was wroth; and then he bade them: Let us have him in. And so
they all bare him unto the hermitage, and unarmed him, and laid him
in his bed ; and evermore his wound bled piteously, but he stirred no
limb of him. Then the knight-hermit put a thing in his nose and a little
deal of water in his mouth. And then Sir Launcelot waked of his
swoon, and then the hermit staunched his bleeding. And when he
might speak he asked Sir Launcelot why he put his life in jeopardy.
Sir, said Sir Launcelot, because I weened I had been strong, and also
Sir Bors told me that there should be at All Hallowmass a great jousts
betwixt King Arthur and the King of Northgalis, and therefore I
thought to assay it myself, whether I might be there or not. Ah, Sir
Launcelot, said the hermit, your heart and your courage will never be
done until your last day, but ye shall do now by my counsel. Let Sir
Bors depart from you, and let him do at that tournament what he may:
And by the grace of God, said the knight-hermit, by that the tourna-
ment be done and ye come hither again, Sir Launcelot shall be as
whole as ye, so that he will be governed by me.
Chap, is HOW SIR BORS RETURNED 105
CHAPTER XVIII. HOW SIR BORS RETURNED AND TOLD
TIDINGS OF SIR LAUNCELOT; AND OF THE TOURNEY,
AND TO WHOM THE PRIZE WAS GIVEN
\- — | I — ^HEN Sir Bors made him ready to depart from Sir Launce-
lot; and then Sir Launcelot said: Fair cousin, Sir Bors,
recommend me unto all them unto whom me ought to recom-
mend me unto. And I pray you, enforce yourself at that
jousts that ye may be best, for my love ; and here shall I abide you at
the mercy of God till ye come again. And so Sir Bors departed and
came to the court of King Arthur, and told them in what place he had
left Sir Launcelot. That me repenteth, said the king, but since he shall
have his life we all may thank God. And there Sir Bors told the queen
in what jeopardy Sir Launcelot was when he would assay his horse.
And all that he did, madam, was for the love of you, because he would
have been at this tournament, Fie on him, recreant knight, said the
queen, for wit ye well I am right sorry an he shall have his life. His
life shall he have, said Sir Bors, and who that would otherwise, except
you, madam, we that be of his blood should help to short their lives.
But madam, said Sir Bors, ye have been oft-times displeased with my
lord, Sir Launcelot, but at all times at the end ye find him a true knight :
and so he departed.
And then every knight of the Round Table that were there at that
time present made them ready to be at that jousts at All Hallowmass,
and thither drew many knights of divers countries. And as All
Hallowmass drew near, thither came the King of Northgalis, and the
King with the Hundred Knights, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince, of
Surluse, and thither came King Anguish of Ireland, and the King of
Scots. So these three kings came on King Arthur's party. And so that
day Sir Gawaine did great deeds of arms, and began first. And the
heralds numbered that Sir Gawaine smote down twenty knights.
Then Sir Bors de Ganis came in the same time, and he was numbered
that he smote down twenty knights ; and therefore the prize was given
betwixt them both, for they began first and longest endured. Also Sir
Gareth, as the book saith, did that day great deeds of arms, for he
smote down and pulled down thirty knights. But when he had done
these deeds he tarried not but so departed, and therefore he lost his
prize. And Sir Palomides did great deeds of arms that day, for he
iv p
106 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVIII
smote down twenty knights, but he departed suddenly, and men
deemed Sir Gareth and he rode together to some manner adventures.
So when this tournament was done Sir Bors departed, and rode till
he came to Sir Launcelot, his cousin ; and then he found him walking
on his feet, and there either made great joy of other ; and so Sir Bors
told Sir Launcelot of all the jousts like as ye have heard. I marvel, said
Sir Launcelot, that Sir Gareth, when he had done such deeds of arms,
that he would not tarry. Thereof we marvelled all, said Sir Bors, for
but if it were you, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Lamorak de Galis, I saw
never knight bear down so many in so little a while as did Sir Gareth :
and anon he was gone we wist not where. By my head, said Sir
Launcelot, he is a noble knight, and a mighty man and well breathed ;
and if he were well assayed, said Sir Launcelot, I would deem he were
good enough for any knight that beareth the life ; and he is a gentle
knight, courteous, true, and bounteous, meek, and mild, and in him is
no manner of mal engin, but plain, faithful, and true.
So then they made them ready to depart from the hermit. And so
upon a morn they took their horses and Elaine le Blank with them ;
and when they came to Astolat there were they well lodged, and had
great cheerof Sir Bernard, the old baron, and of SirTirre.hisson. And
so upon the morn when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair Elaine
brought her father with her, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Tirre, and thus
she said :
CHAPTER XIX. OF THE GREAT LAMENTATION OF THE
FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT WHEN LAUNCELOT SHOULD
DEPART, AND HOW SHE DIED FOR HIS LOVE
"Y lord, Sir Launcelot, now I see ye will depart; now fair
knight and courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and
suffer me not to die for thy love. What would ye that I
did ? said Sir Launcelot. I would have you to my hus-
band, said Elaine. Fair damosel, I thank you, said Sir Launcelot, but
truly, said he, I cast me never to be wedded man. Then, fair knight,
said she, will ye be my paramour? Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot,
for then I rewarded your father and your brother full evil for their
great goodness. Alas, said she, then must I die for your love. Ye shall
not so, said Sir Launcelot, for wit ye well, fair maiden, I might have
Chap. 19 HOW THE MAID OF ASTOLAT DIED 107
been married an I had would, but I never applied me to be married
yet ; but because, fair damosel, that ye love me as ye say ye do, I will
for your good will and kindness show you some goodness, and that is
this, that wheresomever ye will beset your heart upon some good
knight that will wed you, I shall give you together a thousand pound
yearly to you and to your heirs; thus much will I give you, fair madam,
for your kindness, and always while I live to be your own knight. Of
all this, said the maiden, I will none, for but if ye will wed me, or else
be my paramour at the least, wit you well, Sir Launcelot, my good
days are done. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, of these two things
ye must pardon me.
Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon ; and then
women bare her into her chamber, and there she made over much
sorrow; and then Sir Launcelot would depart, and there he asked
Sir Lavaine what he would do. What should I do, said Sir Lavaine,
but follow you, but if ye drive me from you, or command me to go from
you. Then came Sir Bernard to Sir Launcelot and said to him : I can-
not see but that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake. I may not
do withal, said Sir Launcelot, for that me sore repenteth, for I report
me to yourself, that my proffer is fair; and me repenteth, said Sir
Launcelot, that she loveth me as she doth ; I was never the causer of it,
for I report me to your son I early ne late proffered her bounte nor fair
behests; and as for me, said Sir Launcelot, I dare do all that a knight
should do that she is a clean maiden for me, both for deed and for will.
And I am right heavy of her distress, for she is a full fair maiden, good
and gentle, and well taught. Father, said Sir Lavaine, I dare make
good she is a clean maiden as for my lord Sir Launcelot; but she doth
as I do, for sithenl first sawmylord Sir Launcelot, I could never depart
from him, nor nought I will an I may follow him.
Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and so they departed, and came
unto Winchester. And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was
come whole and sound the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir
Gawaine and all the knights of the Round Table except Sir Agravaine
and Sir Mordred. Also Queen Guenever was wood wroth with Sir
Launcelot, and would by no means speak with him, but estranged
herself from him ; and Sir Launcelot made all the means that he might
for to speak with the queen, but it would not be.
IDS LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVIII
Now speak we of the Fair Maiden of Astolat that made such sorrow
day and night that she never slept, ate, nor drank, and ever she made
her complaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when she had thus endured a
ten days, that shefeebled so that she must needs pass out of this world,
then she shrived her clean, and received her Creator. And ever she
complained still upon Sir Launcelot. Then her ghostly father bade
her leave such thoughts. Then she said, why should I leave such
thoughts ? Am I not an earthly woman ? And all the while the breath
is in my body I may complain me, for my belief is I do none offence
though I love an earthly man ; and I take God to my record I loved
never none but Sir Launcelot du Lake, nor never shall, and a clean
maiden I am for him and for all other ; and sithen it is the sufferance
of God that I shall die for the love of so noble a knight, I beseech the
High Father of Heaven to "have mercy upon my soul, and upon mine
innumerable pains that I suffered may be allegeance of part of my sins.
For sweet Lord Jesu, said the fair maiden, I take Thee to record, on
Thee I was never great offencer against thy laws ; but that I loved this
noble knight, Sir Launcelot, out of measure, and of myself, good Lord,
I might not withstand the fervent love wherefore I have my death.
And then she called her father, Sir Bernard, and her brother, Sir
Tirre, and heartily she prayed her father that her brother might write
a letter like as she did indite it : and so her father granted her. And
when the letter was written word by word like as she devised, then
she prayed her father that she might be watched until she were dead.
And while my body is hot let this letter be put in my right hand, and
my hand bound fast with the letter until that I be cold ; and let me be
put in a fair bed with all the richest clothes that I have about me, and
so let my bed and all my richest clothes be laid with me in a chariot
unto the next place where Thames is ; and there let me be put within
a barget, and but one man with me, such as ye trust to steer me thither,
and that my barget be covered with black samite over and over : thus
father I beseech you let it be done. So her father granted it her faith-
fully, all things should be done like as she had devised. Then her
father and her brother made great dole, for when this was done anon
she died. And so when she was dead the corpse and the bed all was led
the next way unto Thames, and there a man, and the corpse, and all,
were put into Thames ; and so the man steered the barget unto West-
minster, and there he rowed a great while to and fro or any espied it.
Chap. 20 OF ARTHUR AND THE DEAD MAID 109
CHAPTER XX. HOW THE CORPSE OF THE MAID OF
ASTOLAT ARRIVED TO-FORE KING ARTHUR, AND OF
THE BURYING, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT OFFERED
THE MASS-PENNY
JO by fortune King Arthur and the Queen Guenever were speak-
ing together at a window, and so as they looked into Thames
they espied this black barget, and had marvel what it meant.
Then the king called Sir Kay, and showed it him. Sir, said
Sir Kay, wit you well there is some new tidings. Go thither, said the
king to Sir Kay, and take with you Sir Brandiles and Agravaine, and
bring me ready word what is there. Then these four knights departed
and came to the barget and went in ; and there they found the fairest
corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor man sitting in the barget's end,
and no word would he speak. So these four knights returned unto the
king again, and told him what they found. That fair corpse will I see,
said the king. And so then the king took the queen by the hand, and
went thither.
Then the king made the barget to be holden fast, and then the king
and the queen entered with certain knights with them ; and there he
saw the fairest woman lie in a rich bed, covered unto her middle with
many rich clothes, and all was of cloth of gold, and she lay as though
she had smiled. Then the queen espied a letter in her right hand, and
told it to the king. Then the king took it and said : Now am I sure this
letter will tell what she was, and why she is come hither. So then the
king and the queen went out of the barget, and so commanded a cer-
tain man to wait upon the barget.
And so when the king was come within his chamber, he called
many knights about him, and said that he would wit openly what was
written within that letter. Then the king brake it, and made a clerk
to read it, and this was the intent of the letter. Most noble knight, Sir
Launcelot, now hath death made us two at debate for your love. I was
your lover, that men called the Fair Maiden of Astolat; therefore unto
all ladies I make my moan, yet pray for my soul and bury me at least,
and offer ye my mass-penny: this is my last request. And a clean
maiden I died, I take God to witness : pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot,
as thou art peerless. This was all the substance in the letter. And
when it was read, the king, the queen, and all the knights wept for
no LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVIII
pity of the doleful complaints. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for; and
when he was come King Arthur made the letter to be read to him.
And when Sir Launcelot heard it word by word, he said : My lord
Arthur, wit ye well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damosel :
God knoweth I was never causer of her death by my willing, and that
will I report me to her own brother : here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not
say nay, said Sir Launcelot, but that she was both fair and good, and
much I was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of measure. Ye
might have shewed her, said the queen, some bounty and gentleness
that might have preserved her life. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, she
would none other ways be answered but that she would be my wife,
outher else my paramour ; and of these two I would not grant her, but
I proffered her, for her good love that she shewed me, a thousand
pound yearly to her, and to her heirs, and to wed any manner knight
that she could find best to love in her heart. For madam, said Sir
Launcelot, I love not to be constrained to love ; for love must arise of
the heart, and not by no constraint. That is truth, said the king, and
many knight's love is free in himself, and never will be bounden, for
where he is bounden he looseth himself.
Then said the king unto Sir Launcelot : It will be your worship that
ye oversee that she be interred worshipfully. Sir, said Sir Launcelot,
that shall be done as I can best devise. And so many knights yede
thither to behold that fair maiden. And so upon the morn she was
interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her mass-penny; and all
the knights of the Table Round that were there at that time offered
with Sir Launcelot. And then the poor man went again with the
barget. Then the queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and prayed him of
mercy, for why that she had been wroth with him causeless. This is
not the first time, said Sir Launcelot, that ye had been displeased with
me causeless, but, madam, ever I must suffer you, but what sorrow I
endure I take no force. So this passed on all that winter, with all man-
ner of hunting and hawking, and jousts and tourneys were many
betwixt many great lords, and ever in all places Sir Lavaine gat great
worship, so that he was nobly renowned among many knights of the
Table Round.
Chap. 21 OF GREAT JOUSTS AT CHRISTMAS m
CHAPTER XXI. OF GREAT JOUSTS DONE ALL A CHRIST-
MAS, AND OF A GREAT JOUSTS AND TOURNEY ORDAINED
BY KING ARTHUR, AND OF SIR LAUNCELOT
P. — I | — vjHUS it passed on till Christmas, and then every day there
was jousts made for a diamond, who that jousted best should
have a diamond. But Sir Launcelot would not joust but if it
were at a great jousts cried. But Sir Lavaine jousted there
all that Christmas passingly well, and best was praised, for there were
but few that did so well. Wherefore all manner of knights deemed
that Sir Lavaine should be made knight of the Table Round at the
next feast of Pentecost. So at-after Christmas King Arthur let call
unto him many knights, and there they advised together to make a
party and a great tournament and jousts. And the King of Northgalis
said to Arthur, he would have on his party King Anguish of Ireland,
and the King with the Hundred Knights, and the King of Northumber-
land, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince. And so these four kings and
this mighty duke took part against King Arthur and the knights of the
Table Round. And the cry was made that the day of the jousts should
be beside Westminster upon Candlemas Day, whereof many knights
were glad, and made them ready to be at that jousts in the freshest
manner.
Then Queen Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and said thus: I
warn you that ye ride no more in no jousts nor tournaments but that
your kinsmen may know you. And at these jousts that shall be ye shall
have of me a sleeve of gold ; and I pray you for my sake enforce your-
self there, that men may speak of you worship ; but I charge you as ye
will have my love, that ye warn your kinsmen that ye will bear that
day the sleeve of gold upon your helmet. Madam, said Sir Launcelot,
it shall be done. And so either made great joy of other. And when
Sir Launcelot saw his time he told Sir Bors that he would depart, and
have no more with him but Sir Lavaine, unto the good hermit that
dwelt in that forest of Windsor ; his name was Sir Brasias ; and there
he thought to repose him, and take all the rest that he might, because
he would be fresh at that day of jousts.
So Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed, that no creature wist
where he was become, but the noble men of his blood. And when he
was come to the hermitage, wit ye well he had good cheer. And so
ii2 LE MORTE D ARTHUR Book XVIII
daily Sir Launcelot would go to a well fast by the hermitage, and there
he would lie down, and see the well spring and burble, and sometime
he slept there. So at that time there was a lady dwelt in that forest,
and she was a great huntress, and daily she used to hunt, and ever she
bare her bow with her; and no men went never with her, but always
women, and they were shooters, and could well kill a deer, both at
the stalk and at the trest ; and they daily bare bows and arrows, horns
and wood-knives, and many good dogs they had, both for the string
and for a bait. So it happed this lady the huntress had abated her dog
for the bow at a barren hind, and so this barren hind took the flight over
hedges and woods. And ever this lady and part of her women costed
the hind, and checked it by the noise of the hounds, to have met with
the hind at some water; and so it happed, the hind came to the well
whereas Sir Launcelot was sleeping and slumbering. And so when
the hind came to the well, for heat she went to soil, and there she lay
a great while ; and the dog came after, and umbecast about, for she
had lost the very perfect feute of the hind. Right so came that lady
the huntress, that knew by the dog that she had, that the hind was at
the soil in that well ; and there she came stiffly and found the hind,
and she put a broad arrow in her bow, and shot at the hind, and over-
shot the hind ; and so by misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot in
the thick of the buttock, over the barbs. When Sir Launcelot felt him-
self so hurt, he hurled up woodly, and saw the lady that had smitten
him. And when he saw she was a woman, he said thus : Lady or
damosel, what that thou be, in an evil time bear ye a bow; the devil
made you a shooter.
CHAPTER XXII. HOW LAUNCELOT AFTER THAT HE
WAS HURT OF A GENTLEWOMAN CAME TO AN HER-
MIT, AND OF OTHER MATTERS
O W mercy, fair sir, said the lady, I am a gentlewoman that
useth here in this forest hunting, and God knoweth I saw ye
not ; but as here was a barren hind at the soil in this well,
and I weened to have done well, but my hand swerved.
Alas, said Sir Launcelot, ye have mischieved me. And so the lady
departed, and Sir Launcelot as he might pulled out the arrow, and left
that head still in his buttock, and so he went weakly to the hermitage
ever more bleeding as he went. And when Sir Lavaine and the hermit
Chap. 23 OF THE JOUSTS AT CANDLEMAS 1 13
espied that Sir Launcelot was hurt, wit you well they were passing
heavy, but Sir Lavaine wist not how that he was hurt nor by whom.
And then were they wroth out of measure.
Then with great pain the hermit gat out the arrow's head out of Sir
Launcelot's buttock, and much of his blood he shed, and the wound
was passing sore, and unhappily smitten, for it was in such a place that
he might not sit in no saddle. Have mercy, Jesu, said Sir Launcelot, I
may call myself the most unhappiest man that liveth, for ever when I
would fainest have worship there befalleth me ever some unhappy
thing. Now so Jesu me help, said Sir Launcelot, and if no man would
but God, I shall be in the field upon Candlemas Day at the jousts, what-
somever fall of it : so all that might be gotten to heal Sir Launcelot
was had.
So when the day was come Sir Launcelot let devise that he was
arrayed, and Sir Lavaine, and their horses, as though they had been
Saracens; and so they departed and came nigh to the field. The King
of Northgalis with an hundred knights with him, and the King of
Northumberland brought with him an hundred good knights, and
King Anguish of Ireland brought with him an hundred good knights
ready to joust, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince, brought with him
an hundred good knights, and the King with the Hundred Knights
brought with him as many, and all these were proved good knights.
Then came in King Arthur's party; and there came in the King of
Scots with an hundred knights, and King Uriens of Gore brought with
him an hundred knights, and King Howel of Brittany brought with
him an hundred knights, and Chaleins of Clarance brought with him
an hundred knights, and King Arthur himself came into the field with
two hundred knights, and the most part were knights of the Table
Round, that were proved noble knights ; and there were old knights
set in scaffolds for to judge, with the queen, who did best.
CHAPTER XXIII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BEHAVED HIM
AT THE JOUSTS, AND OTHER MEN ALSO
^ — I I — ^HEN they blew to the field; and there the King of North-
galis encountered with the King of Scots, and there the King
of Scots had a fall ; and the King of Ireland smote down King
Uriens ; and the King of Northumberland smote down King
Howel of Brittany; and Sir Galahad, the haut prince, smote down
iv q
i u LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
Chaleins of Clarance. And then King Arthur was wood wroth, and
ran to the King with the Hundred Knights, and there King Arthur
smote him down ; and after with that same spear King Arthur smote
down three other knights. And then when his spear was broken King
Arthur did passingly well; and so therewithal came in Sir Gawaine
and Sir Gaheris, Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, and there everych
of them smote down a knight, and Sir Gawaine smote down four
knights ; and then there began a strong medley, for then there came in
the knights of Launcelot's blood, and Sir Gareth and Sir Palomides
with them, and many knights of the Table Round, and they began to
hold the four kings and the mighty duke so hard that they were dis-
comfit ; but this Duke Galahad, the haut prince, was a noble knight,
and by his mighty prowess of arms he held the knights of the Table
Round strait enough.
All this doing saw Sir Launcelot, and then he came into the field
with Sir Lavaine as it had been thunder. And then anon Sir Bors and
the knights of his blood espied Sir Launcelot, and said to them all : I
warn you beware of him with the sleeve of gold upon his head, for he
is himself Sir Launcelot du Lake ; and for great goodness Sir Bors
warned Sir Gareth. I am well apaid, said Sir Gareth, that I may know
him. But who is he, said they all, that rideth with him in the same
array? That is the good and gentle knight Sir Lavaine, said Sir Bors.
So Sir Launcelot encountered with Sir Gawaine, and there by force
Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Gawaine and his horse to the earth, and
so he smote down Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and also he smote
down Sir Mordred, and all this was with one spear. Then Sir Lavaine
met with Sir Palomides, and either met other so hard and so fiercely
that both their horses fell to the earth. And then were they horsed
again, and then met Sir Launcelot with Sir Palomides, and there Sir
Palomides had a fall ; and so Sir Launcelot or ever he stint, as fast as
he might get spears, he smote down thirty knights, and the most part
of them were knights of the Table Round ; and ever the knights of his
blood withdrew them, and made them ado in other places where Sir
Launcelot came not.
And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw Sir Launcelot do
such deeds ; and then the king called unto him Sir Gawaine, Sir Mor-
dred, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, Sir Lucan the Butler, Sir Bedivere, Sir
Palomides, Sir Safere, his brother ; and so the king with these nine
Chap. 23 OF THE JOUSTS AT CANDLEMAS 115
knights made them ready to set upon Sir Launcelot, and upon Sir
Lavaine. All this espied Sir Bors and Sir Gareth. Now I dread me
sore, said Sir Bors, that my lord, Sir Launcelot, will be hard matched.
By my head, said Sir Gareth, I will ride unto my lord Sir Launcelot,
for to help him, fall of him what fall may, for he is the same man that
made me knight. Ye shall not so, said Sir Bors, by my counsel, unless
that ye were disguised. Ye shall see me disguised, said Sir Gareth;
and therewithal he espied a Welsh knight where he was to repose
him, and he was sore hurt afore by Sir Gawaine, and to him Sir Gareth
rode, and prayed him of his knighthood to lend him his shield for his.
I will well, said the Welsh knight. And when Sir Gareth had his
shield, the book saith it was green, with a maiden that seemed in it.
Then Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot all that he might
and said : Knight, keep thyself, for yonder cometh King Arthur with
nine noble knights with him to put you to a rebuke, and so I am come
to bear you fellowship for old love ye have shewed me. Gramercy,
said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Gareth, encounter ye with Sir
Gawaine, and I shall encounter with Sir Palomides; and let Sir
Lavaine match with the noble King Arthur. And when we have
delivered them, let us three hold us sadly together. Then came King
Arthur with his nine knights with him, and Sir Launcelot encountered
with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such a buffet that the arson of his
saddle brast, and Sir Gawaine fell to the earth. Then Sir Gareth
encountered with the good knight Sir Palomides, and he gave him
such a buffet that both his horse and he dashed to the earth. Then
encountered King Arthur with Sir Lavaine, and there either of them
smote other to the earth, horse and all, that they lay a great while.
Then Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred ; and Sir Gareth smote down Sir Kay, and Sir Safere,
and Sir Griflet. And then Sir Lavaine was horsed again, and he smote
down Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere ; and then there began
great throng of good knights.
Then Sir Launcelot hurtled here and there, and raced and pulled
off helms, so that at that time there might none sit him a buffet with
spear nor with sword ; and Sir Gareth did such deeds of arms that all
men marvelled what knight he was with the green shield, for he smote
down that day and pulled down mo than thirty knights. And, as the
French book saith, Sir Launcelot marvelled, when he beheld Sir
lie LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XVI 1 1
Gareth do such deeds, what knight he might be; and Sir Lavaine
pulled down and smote down twenty knights. Also Sir Launcelot
knew not Sir Gareth, for an Sir Tristram de Liones, outher Sir Lam-
orak de Galis had been alive, Sir Launcelot would have deemed he
had been one of them twain. So ever as Sir Launcelot, Sir Gareth, Sir
Lavaine fought, and on the one side Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir
Lionel, Sir Lamorak de Galis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Galihud, Sir Gali-
hodin, Sir Pelleas, and with mo other of King Ban's blood fought upon
another party, and held the King with the Hundred Knights and the
King of Northumberland right strait.
CHAPTER XXIV. HOW KING ARTHUR MARVELLED
MUCH OF THE JOUSTING IN THE FIELD, AND HOW HE
RODE AND FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
JO this tournament and this jousts dured long, till it was near
night, for the knights of the Round Table relieved ever unto
King Arthur ; for the king was wroth out of measure that he
and his knights might not prevail that day. Then Sir Gawaine
said to the king : I marvel where all this day be Sir Bors de Ganis and
his fellowship of Sir Launcelot's blood, I marvel all this day they be
not about you : it is for some cause said Sir Gawaine. By my head, said
Sir Kay, Sir Bors is yonder all this day upon the right hand of this
field, and there he and his blood do more worshipfully than we do. It
may well be, said Sir Gawaine, but I dread me ever of guile ; for on
pain of my life, said Sir Gawaine, this knight with the red sleeve of
gold is himself Sir Launcelot, I see well by his riding and by his great
strokes ; and the other knight in the same colours is the good young
knight, Sir Lavaine. Also that knight with the green shield is my
brother, Sir Gareth, and yet he hath disguised himself, for no man
shall never make him be against Sir Launcelot, because he made him
knight. By my head, said Arthur, nephew, I believe you; therefore
tell me now what is your best counsel. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall
have my counsel : let blow unto lodging, for an he be Sir Launcelot du
Lake, and my brother, Sir Gareth, with him, with the help of that good
young knight, Sir Lavaine, trust me truly it will be no boot to strive
with them but if we should fall ten or twelve upon one knight, and that
were no worship, but shame. Ye say truth, said the king ; and for to
Chap. 24 HOW ARTHUR FOUND LAUNCELOT 1 1 7
say sooth, said the king, it were shame to us so many as we be to set
upon them any more ; for wit ye well, said King Arthur, they be three
good knights, and namely that knight with the sleeve of gold.
So then they blew unto lodging ; but forthwithal King Arthur let
send unto the four kings, and to the mighty duke, and prayed them
that the knight with the sleeve of gold depart not from them, but that
the king may speak with him. Then forthwithal King Arthur alighted
and unarmed him, and took a little hackney and rode after Sir Launce-
lot, for ever he had a spy upon him. And so he found him among the
four kings and the duke ; and there the king prayed them all unto
supper, and they said they would with good will. And when they were
unarmed then King Arthur knew Sir Launcelot, Sir Lavaine, and Sir
Gareth. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day ye have heated
me and my knights.
So they yede unto Arthur's lodging all together, and there was a
great feast and great revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launce-
lot ; and by heralds they named him that he had smitten down fifty
knights, and Sir Gareth five-and-thirty, and Sir Lavaine four-and-
twenty knights. Then Sir Launcelot told the king and the queen how
the lady huntress shot him in the forest of Windsor, in the buttock,
with an broad arrow, and how the wound thereof was that time six
inches deep, and in like long. Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth because
he left his fellowship and held with Sir Launcelot. My lord, said Sir
Gareth, he made me a knight, and when I saw him so hard bestead,
methought it was my worship to help him, for I saw him do so much,
and so many noble knights against him; and when I understood that he
was Sir Launcelot du Lake, I shamed to see so many knights against
him alone. Truly, said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, ye say well, and
worshipfully have ye done and to yourself great worship ; and all the
days of my life, said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, wit you well I shall
love you, and trust you the more better. For ever, said Arthur, it is a
worshipful knight's deed to help another worshipful knight when he
seeth him in a great danger ; for ever a worshipful man will be loath to
see a worshipful man shamed ; and he that is of no worship, and fareth
with cowardice, never shall he show gentleness, nor no manner of
goodness where he seeth a man in any danger, for then ever will a
coward show no mercy ; and always a good man will do ever to another
iis LE MORTE DARTHUR BookXVIII
man as he would be done to himself. So then there were great feasts
unto kings and dukes, and revel, game, and play, and all manner of
noblesse was used ; and he that was courteous, true, and faithful, to his
friend was that time cherished.
CHAPTER XXV. HOW TRUE LOVE IS LIKENED TO
SUMMER
. ND thus it passed on from Candlemas until after Easter, that
the month of May was come, when every lusty heart begin-
neth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit ; for like as herbs
and trees bring forth fruit and flourish in May, in like wise
every lusty heart that is in any manner a lover, springeth and flourish-
eth in lusty deeds. For it giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty
month of May, in something to constrain him to some manner of thing
more in that month than in any other month, for divers causes. For
then all herbs and trees renew a man and woman, and likewise lovers
call again to their mind old gentleness and old service, and many kind
deeds that were forgotten by negligence. For like as winter rasure
doth alway arase and deface green summer, so fareth it by unstable
love in man and woman. For in many persons there is no stability ; for
we may see all day, for a little blast of winter's rasure, anon we shall
deface and lay apart true love for little or nought, that cost much thing ;
this is no wisdom nor stability, but it is feebleness of nature and great
disworship, whosomever useth this. Therefore, like as May month
flowereth and flourisheth in many gardens, so in like wise let every
man of worship flourish his heart in this world, first unto God, and next
unto the joy of them that he promised his faith unto; for there was
never worshipful man or worshipful woman, but they loved one better
than another; and worship in arms may never be foiled, but first
reserve the honour to God, and secondly the quarrel must come of thy
lady : and such love I call virtuous love.
But nowadays men can not love seven night but they must have all
their desires : that love may not endure by reason ; for where they be
soon accorded and hasty heat, soon it cooleth. Right so fareth love
nowadays, soon hot soon cold : this is no stability. But the old love was
not so; men and women could love together seven years, and no licours
lusts were between them, and then was love, truth, and faithfulness :
Chap. 25 HOW LOVE IS LIKENED TO SUMMER 119
and lo, in like wise was used love in King Arthur's days. Wherefore I
liken love nowadays unto summer and winter ; for like as the one is hot
and the other cold, so fareth love nowadays ; therefore all ye that be
lovers call unto your remembrance the month of May, like as did
Queen Guenever, for whom I make here a little mention, that while
she lived she was a true lover, and therefore she had a good end.
EXPLICIT LIBER OCTODECIMUS.
AND HERE FOLLOWETH LIBER XIX
BOOK XIX
CHAPTER I. HOW QUEEN GUENEVER RODE A-MAYING
WITH CERTAIN KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE AND
CLAD ALL IN GREEN
JO it befell in the month of May, Queen Guenever called unto her
knights of the Table Round ; and she gave them warning that
early upon the morrow she would ride a-Maying into woods
and fields beside Westminster. And I warn you that there be
none of you but that he be well horsed, and that ye all be clothed in
green, outher in silk outher in cloth; and I shall bring with me ten
ladies, and every knight shall have a lady behind him, and every
knight shall have a squire and two yeomen ; and I will that ye all be
well horsed. So they made them ready in the freshest manner. And
these were the names of the knights : Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Agra-
vaine, Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramorele Desirous, Sir Dodinasle Savage,
Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Ladinas of the Forest Savage, Sir Per-
sant of Inde, Sir Ironside, that was called the Knight of the Red
Launds, and Sir Pelleas, the lover ; and these ten knights made them
ready in the freshest manner to ride with the queen. And so upon the
morn they took their horses with the queen, and rode a-Maying in
woods and meadows as it pleased them, in great joy and delights ; for
the queen had cast to have been again with King Arthur at the furthest
by ten of the clock, and so was that time her purpose.
Then there was a knight that hight Meliagrance, and he was son
unto King Bagdemagus, and this knight had at that time a castle of the
gift of King Arthur within seven mile of Westminster. And this
knight, Sir Meliagrance, loved passing well Queen Guenever, and so
had he done long and many years. And the book saith he had lain in
await for to steal away the queen, but evermore he forbare for because
of Sir Launcelot; for in nowise he would meddle with the queen an
Sir Launcelot were in her company, outher else an he were near-hand
her. And that time was such a custom, the queen rode never without
a great fellowship of men of arms about her, and they were many good
Chap. 2 HOW THE QUEEN WAS TAKEN 121
knights, and the most part were young men that would have worship ;
and they were called the Queen's Knights, and never in no battle,
tournament, nor jousts, they bare none of them no manner of know-
ledging of their own arms, but plain white shields, and thereby they
were called the Queen's Knights. And then when it happed any of
them to be of great worship by his noble deeds, then at the next Feast
of Pentecost, if there were any slain or dead, as there was none year
that there failed but some were dead, then was there chosen in his stead
that was dead the most men of worship, that were called the Queen's
Knights. And thus they came up all first, or they were renowned
men of worship, both Sir Launcelot and all the remnant of them.
But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the queen well and her
purpose, and how Sir Launcelot was not with her, and how she had
no men of arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green
for Maying. Then he purveyed him a twenty men of arms and an
hundred archers for to destroy the queen and her knights, for he
thought that time was best season to take the queen.
CHAPTER II. HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE TOOK THE
QUEEN AND HER KNIGHTS, WHICH WERE SORE HURT
IN FIGHTING
JO as the queen had Mayed and all her knights, all were
bedashed with herbs, mosses and flowers, in the best manner
and freshest. Right so came out of a wood Sir Meliagrance
with an eight score men well harnessed, as they should fight in
a battle of arrest, and bade the queen and her knights abide, for
maugre their heads they should abide. Traitor knight, said Queen
Guenever, what cast thou for to do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink
thee how thou art a king's son, and knight of the Table Round,
and thou to be about to dishonour the noble king that made thee
knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself, and me, I let thee
wit, shall thou never shame, for I had liefer cut mine own throat in
twain rather than thou shouldest dishonour me. As for all this lan-
guage, said Sir Meliagrance, be it as it be may, for wit you well, mad-
am, I have loved you many a year, and never or now could I get
you at such an advantage as I do now, and therefore I will take you as I
find you.
Then spake all the ten noble knights at once and said : Sir Melia-
iv r
122 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
grance, wit thou well ye are about to jeopard your worship to dis-
honour, and also ye cast to jeopard our persons howbeit we be
unarmed. Ye have us at a great avail, for it seemeth by you that ye
have laid watch upon us ; but rather than ye should put the queen to a
shame and us all, we had as lief to depart from our lives, for an if we
other ways did, we were shamed forever. Then said Sir Meliagrance:
Dress you as well ye can, and keep the queen. Then the ten knights
of the Table Round drew their swords, and the other let run at them
with their spears, and the ten knights manly abode them, and smote
away their spears that no spear did them none harm. Then they
lashed together with swords, and anon Sir Kay, Sir Sagramore, Sir
Agravaine, Sir Dodinas, Sir Ladinas, and Sir Ozanna were smitten to
the earth with grimly wounds. Then Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant,
Sir Ironside, Sir Pelleas fought long, and they were sore wounded, for
these ten knights, or ever they were laid to the ground, slew forty men
of the boldest and the best of them.
So when the queen saw her knights thus dolefully wounded, and
needs must be slain at the last, then for pity and sorrow she cried Sir
Meliagrance : Slay not my noble knights, and I will go with thee upon
this covenant, that thou save them, and suffer them not to be no more
hurt, with this, that they be led with me wheresomever thou leadest
me, for I will rather slay myself than I will go with thee, unless that
these my noble knights may be in my presence. Madam, said Melia-
grance, for your sake they shall be led with you into mine own castle,
with that ye will be ruled, and ride with me. Then the queen prayed
the four knights to leave their fighting, and she and they would not
depart. Madam, said Sir Pelleas, we will do as ye do, for as for me I
take no force of my life nor death. For as the French book saith,
Sir Pelleas gave such buffets there that none armour might hold him.
CHAPTER III. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT HAD WORD HOW
THE QUEEN WAS TAKEN, AND HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE
LAID A BUSHMENT FOR LAUNCELOT
P- — I I — vjHEN by the queen's commandment they left battle, and
dressed the wounded knights on horseback, some sitting,
some overthwart their horses, that it was pity to behold them.
And then Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and all her
knights that none of all her fellowship should depart from her ; for full
Chap. 3 THE QUEEN SUMMONS LAUNCELOT 123
sore he dread Sir Launcelot du Lake, lest he should have any know-
ledging. All this espied the queen, and privily she called unto her
a child of her chamber that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said : Go
thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto Sir Launcelot
du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that he will see me and rescue
me, if ever he will have joy of me ; and spare not thy horse, said the
queen, neither for water, neither for land. So the child espied his
time, and lightly he took his horse with the spurs, and departed as fast
as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so flee, he understood
that it was by the queen's commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot.
Then they that were best horsed chased him and shot at him, but
from them all the child went suddenly. And then Sir Meliagrance
said to the queen : Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall ordain
for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you. And then he
rode with her, and they all, to his castle, in all the haste that they might.
And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best
archers that he might get in his country, to the number of thirty, to
await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they saw such a man-
ner of knight come by the way upon a white horse, that in any wise
they slay his horse, but in no manner of wise have not ado with him
bodily, for he is over-hardy to be overcome.
So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but in no wise
the queen would never let none of the ten knights and her ladies out
of her sight, but always they were in her presence ; for the book saith.
Sir Meliagrance durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot,
insomuch he deemed that he had warning. So when the child was
departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within a while he
came to Westminster, and anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when
he had told his message, and delivered him the queen's ring : Alas,
said Sir Launcelot, now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue
that noble lady from dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his armour;
and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought mar-
vellously, and how Sir Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles,
and Sir Persant of Inde, fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there
might none withstand him ; and how they all fought till at the last they
were laid to the earth ; and then the queen made appointment for to
save their lives, and go with Sir Meliagrance.
Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she should be
124 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
so destroyed ; I had liefer, said Sir Launcelot, than all France, that I
had been there well armed. So when Sir Launcelot was armed and
upon his horse, he prayed the child of the queen's chamber to warn
Sir Lavaine how suddenly he was departed, and for what cause. And
pray him as he loveth me, that he will hie him after me, and that he
stint not until he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth,
or dwelleth ; for there, said Sir Launcelot, he shall hear of me an I am
a man living, and rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he
traitorously hath taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and all
them that hold with him.
CHAPTER IV. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT'S HORSE WAS
SLAIN, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT RODE IN A CART
FOR TO RESCUE THE QUEEN
^ — I I — ^HEN Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and the book
saith he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and made
his horse to swim over Thames unto Lambeth. And then
within a while he came to the same place thereas the ten
noble knights fought with Sir Meliagrance. And then Sir Launcelot
followed the track until that he came to a wood, and there was a straight
way, and there the thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot turn again, and
follow no longer that track. What commandment have ye thereto,
said Sir Launcelot, to cause me that am a knight of the Round Table
to leave my right way? This way shalt thou leave, other-else thou
shalt go it on thy foot, for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain. That
is little mastery, said Sir Launcelot, to slay mine horse; but as for
myself, when my horse is slain, I give right nought for you, not an ye
were five hundred more. So then they shot Sir Launcelot's horse, and
smote him with many arrows; and then Sir Launcelot avoided his
horse, and went on foot ; but there were so many ditches and hedges
betwixt them and him that he might not meddle with none of them.
Alas for shame, said Launcelot, that ever one knight should betray
another knight ; but it is an old saw, A good man is never in danger
but when he is in the danger of a coward. Then Sir Launcelot went
a while, and then he was foul cumbered of his armour, his shield, and
his spear, and all that longed unto him. Wit ye well he was full sore
annoyed, and full loath he was for to leave anything that longed unto
him, for he dread sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance.
Chap. 4 HOW LAUNCELOT'S HORSE WAS SLAIN 125
Then by fortune there came by him a chariot that came thither for
to fetch wood. Say me, carter, said Sir Launcelot, what shall I give
thee to suffer me to leap into thy chariot, and that thou bring me unto a
castle within this two mile ? Thou shalt not come within my chariot, said
the carter, for I am sent for to fetch wood for my lord, Sir Meliagrance.
With him would I speak. Thou shalt not go with me, said the carter.
Then Sir Launcelot leapt to him, and gave him such a buifet that he
fell to the earth stark dead. Then the other carter, his fellow, was
afeard, and weened to have gone the same way; and then he cried :
Fair lord, save my life, and I shall bring you where ye will. Then I
charge thee, said Sir Launcelot, that thou drive me and this chariot
even unto Sir Meliagrance's gate. Leap up into the chariot, said the
carter, and ye shall be there anon. So the carter drove on a great
wallop, and Sir Launcelot's horse followed the chariot, with more than
a forty arrows broad and rough in him.
And more than an hour and an half Dame Guenever was awaiting
in a bay window with her ladies, and espied an armed knight standing
in a chariot. See, madam, said a lady, where rideth in a chariot a
goodly armed knight; I suppose he rideth unto hanging. Where? said
the queen. Then she espied by his shield that he was there himself,
Sir Launcelot du Lake. And then she was ware where came his horse
ever after that chariot, and ever he trod his guts and his paunch under
his feet. Alas, said the queen, now I see well and prove, that well is
him that hath a trusty friend. Ha, ha, most noble knight, said Queen
Guenever,! seewell thou arthard bestead when thou ridest in achariot.
Then she rebuked that lady that likened Sir Launcelot to ride in a
chariot to hanging. It was foul mouthed, said the queen, and evil
likened, so for to liken the most noble knight of the world unto such a
shameful death. O Jesu defend him and keep him, said the queen,
from all mischievous end. By this was Sir Launcelot come to the gates
of that castle, and there he descended down, and cried, that all the
castle rang of it : Where art thou, false traitor, Sir Meliagrance, and
knight of the Table Round? now come forth here, thou traitor knight,
thou and thy fellowship with thee ; for here I am, Sir Launcelot du
Lake, that shall fight with you. And therewithal he bare the gate wide
open upon the porter, and smote him under his ear with his gauntlet,
that his neck brast a-sunder.
126 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
CHAPTER V. HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE REQUIRED FOR-
GIVENESS OF THE QUEEN, AND HOW SHE APPEASED
SIR LAUNCELOT; AND OTHER MATTERS
"HEN Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was
there he ran unto Queen Guenever, and fell upon his
knee, and said : Mercy, madam, now I put me wholly
into your grace. What aileth you now? said Queen
Guenever ; forsooth I might well wit some good knight would revenge
me, though my lord Arthur wist not of this your work. Madam, said
Sir Meliagrance, all this that is amiss on my part shall be amended
right as yourself will devise, and wholly I put me in your grace. What
would ye that I did ? said the queen. I would no more, said Meliagrance,
but that ye would take all in your own hands, and that ye will rule my
lord Sir Launcelot ; and such cheer as may be made him in this poor
castle ye and he shall have until to-morn, and then mayye and all they
return unto Westminster ; and my body and all that I have I shall put
in your rule. Ye say well, said the queen, and better is peace than
ever war, and the less noise the more is my worship.
Then the queen and her ladies went down unto the knight, Sir
Launcelot, that stood wroth out of measure in the inner court, to abide
battle ; and ever he bade : Thou traitor knight come forth. Then the
queen came to him and said : Sir Launcelot, why be ye so moved ? Ha,
madam, said Sir Launcelot, why ask ye me that question? Meseemeth,
said Sir Launcelot, ye ought to be more wroth than I am, for ye have
the hurt and the dishonour, for wit ye well, madam, my hurt is but
little for the killing of a mare's son, but the despite grieveth me much
more than all my hurt. Truly, said the queen, ye say truth ; but heartily
I thank you, said the queen, but ye must come in with me peaceably,
for all thing is put in my hand, and all that is evil shall be for the best,
for the knight full sore repenteth him of the misadventure that is
befallen him. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, sith it is so that ye been
accorded with him, as for me I may not be again it, howbeit Sir
Meliagrance hath done full shamefully to me, and cowardly. Ah
madam, said Sir Launcelot, an I had wist ye would have been so soon
accorded with him I would not have made such haste unto you. Why
say ye so, said the queen, do ye forthink yourself of your good deeds ?
Wit you well, said the queen, I accorded never unto him for favour
Chap. 5 OF MELIAGRANCE AND THE QUEEN 127
nor love that I had unto him, but for to lay down every shameful noise.
Madam, said Sir Launcelot, ye understand full well I was never willing
nor glad of shameful slander nor noise; and there is neither king,
queen, nor knight, that beareth the life, except my lord King Arthur,
and you, madam, should let me, but I should make Sir Meliagrance's
heart full cold or ever I departed from hence. That wot I well, said the
queen, but what will ye more ? Ye shall have all thing ruled as ye list
to have it. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, so ye be pleased I care not, as
for my part ye shall soon please.
Right so the queen took Sir Launcelot by the bare hand, for he had
put off his gauntlet, and so she went with him till her chamber ; and
then she commanded him to be unarmed. And then Sir Launcelot
asked where were the ten knights that were wounded sore ; so she
showed them unto Sir Launcelot, and there they made great joy of the
coming of him, and Sir Launcelot made great dole of their hurts, and
bewailed them greatly. And there Sir Launcelot told them how
cowardly and traitorly Meliagrance set archers to slay his horse, and
how he was fain to put himself in a chariot. Thus they complained
everych to other; and full fain they would have been revenged, but
they peaced themselves because of the queen. Then, as the French
book saith, Sir Launcelot was called many a day after le Chevaler
du Chariot, and did many deeds, and great adventures he had.
And so leave we of this tale le Chevaler du Chariot, and turn we to
this tale.
So Sir Launcelot had great cheer with the queen, and then Sir
Launcelot made a promise with the queen that the same night Sir
Launcelot should come to a window outward toward a garden ; and
that window was y-barred with iron, and there Sir Launcelot promised
to meet her when all folks were asleep. So then came Sir Lavaine
driving to the gates, crying: Where is my lord, Sir Launcelot du
Lake ? Then was he sent for, and when Sir Lavaine saw Sir Launce-
lot, he said : My lord, I found well how ye were hard bestead, for
I have found your horse that was slain with arrows. As for that, said
Sir Launcelot, I pray you, Sir Lavaine, speak ye of other matters,
and let ye this pass, and we shall right it another time when we
best may.
128 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
CHAPTER VI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME IN THE
NIGHT TO THE QUEEN AND LAY WITH HER, AND
HOW SIR MELIAGRANCE APPEACHED THE QUEEN OF
TREASON
t — I - — JHEN the knights that were hurt were searched, and soft
salves were laid to their wounds; and so it passed on till
supper time, and all the cheer that might be made them
there was done unto the queen and all her knights. Then
when season was, they went unto their chambers, but in no wise the
queen would not suffer the wounded knights to be from her, but that
they were laid within draughts by her chamber, upon beds and
pillows, that she herself might see to them, that they wanted nothing.
So when Sir Launcelot was in his chamber that was assigned unto
him, he called unto him Sir Lavaine, and told him that night he must
go speak with his lady, Dame Guenever. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, let me
go with you an it please you, for I dread me sore of the treason of Sir
Meliagrance. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, I thank you, but I will have
nobody with me. Then Sir Launcelot took his sword in his hand, and
privily went to a place where he had espied a ladder to-forehand, and
that he took under his arm, and bare it through the garden, and set it
up to the window, and there anon the queen was ready to meet him.
And then they made either to other their complaints of many divers
things, and then Sir Launcelot wished that he might have come into
her. Wit ye well, said the queen, I would as fain as ye, that ye might
come in to me. Would ye, madam, said Sir Launcelot, with your heart
that I were with you ? Yea, truly, said the queen. Now shall I prove my
might, said Sir Launcelot, for your love; and then he set his hands
upon the bars of iron, and he pulled at them with such a might that he
brast them clean out of the stonewalls, and therewithal one of the bars
of iron cut the brawn of his hands throughout to the bone ; and then he
leapt into the chamber to the queen. Make ye no noise, said the queen,
for my wounded knights lie here fast by me. So, to pass upon this tale,
Sir Launcelot went unto bed with the queen, and he took no force of
his hurt hand, but took his pleasaunce and his liking until it was in the
dawning of the day; and wit ye well he slept not but watched, and
when he saw his time that he might tarry no longer he took his leave
and departed at the window, and put it together as well as he might
again, and so departed unto his own chamber ; and there he told Sir
Chap. 7 HOW LAUNCELOT WAS TRAPPED 129
Lavaine how he was hurt. Then Sir Lavaine dressed his hand and
staunched it, and put upon it a glove, that it should not be espied ; and
so the queen lay long in her bed until it was nine of the clock.
Then Sir Meliagrance went to the queen's chamber, and found her
ladies there ready clothed. Jesu mercy, said Sir Meliagrance, what
aileth you, madam, that ye sleep thus long ? And right therewithal he
opened the curtain for to behold her; and then was he ware where
she lay, and all the sheet and pillow was bebled with the blood of Sir
Launcelot and of his hurt hand. When Sir Meliagrance espied that
blood, then he deemed in her that she was false to the king, and that
some of the wounded knights had lain by her all that night. Ah,
madam, said Sir Meliagrance, now I have found you a false traitress
unto my lord Arthur ; for now I prove well it was not for nought that
ye laid these wounded knights within the bounds of your chamber ;
therefore I will call you of treason before my lord, King Arthur. And
now I have proved you, madam, with a shameful deed ; and that they
be all false, or some of them, I will make good, for a wounded knight
this night hath lain by you. That is false, said the queen, and that I
will report me unto them all. Then when the ten knights heard Sir
Meliagrance's words, they spake all in one voice and said to Sir Melia-
grance : Thou sayest falsely, and wrongfully puttest upon us such a
deed, and that we will make good any of us; choose which thou list of
us when we are whole of our wounds. Ye shall not, said Sir Melia-
grance, away with your proud language, for here ye may all see, said Sir
Meliagrance, that by the queen this night a wounded knight hath lain.
Then were they all ashamed when they saw that blood ; and wit you
well Sir Meliagrance was passing glad that he had the queen at such
an advantage, for he deemed by that to hide his treason. So with this
rumour came in Sir Launcelot, and found them all at a great array.
CHAPTER VII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT ANSWERED
FOR THE QUEEN, AND WAGED BATTLE AGAINST
SIR MELIAGRANCE; AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS
TAKEN IN A TRAP
"HAT array is this? said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Me-
liagrance told them what he had found, and showed
them the queen's bed. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, ye
did not your part nor knightly, to touch a queen's bed
while it was drawn, and she lying therein; for I dare say my lord
iv s
130 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
Arthur himself would not have displayed her curtains, she being
within her bed, unless that it had pleased him to have lain down by
her; and therefore ye have done unworshipfully and shamefully to
yourself. I wot not what ye mean, said Sir Meliagrance, but well I am
sure there hath one of her wounded knights lain by her this night, and
therefore I will prove with my hands that she is a traitress unto my
lord Arthur. Beware what ye do, said Launcelot, for an ye say so, an
ye will prove it, it will be taken at your hands.
My lord, Sir Launcelot, said Sir Meliagrance, I rede you beware
what ye do ; for though ye are never so good a knight, as ye wot well
ye are renowned the best knight of the world, yet should ye be advised
to do battle in a wrong quarrel, for God will have a stroke in every
battle. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, God is to be dread ; but as
to that I say nay plainly, that this night there lay none of these ten
wounded knights with my lady Queen Guenever, and that will I
prove with my hands, that ye say untruly in that now. Hold, said Sir
Meliagrance, here is my glove that she is traitress unto my lord, King
Arthur, and that this night one of the wounded knights lay with her.
And I receive your glove, said Sir Launcelot. And so they were sealed
with their signets, and delivered unto the ten knights. At what day
shall we do battle together? said Sir Launcelot. This day eight days,
said Sir Meliagrance, in the field beside Westminster. I am agreed,
said Sir Launcelot. But now, said Sir Meliagrance, sithen it is so that
we must fight together, I pray you, as ye be a noble knight, await me
with no treason, nor none villainy the meanwhile, nor none for you. So
God me help, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall right well wit I was never of
no such conditions, for I report me to all knights that ever have known
me, I fared never with no treason, nor I loved never the fellowship of
no man that fared with treason. Then let us go to dinner, said Melia-
grance, and after dinner ye and the queen and ye may ride all to
Westminster. I will well, said Sir Launcelot.
Then Sir Meliagrance said to Sir Launcelot : Pleaseth it you to see
the estures of this castle? With a good will, said Sir Launcelot. And
then they went together from chamber to chamber, for Sir Launcelot
dread no perils ; for ever a man of worship and of prowess dreadeth
least always perils, for they ween every man be as they be ; but ever
he that fareth with treason putteth oft a man in great danger. So it
befell upon Sir Launcelot that no peril dread, as he went with Sir
Chap, s HOW LAUNCELOT WAS DELIVERED i3I
Meliagrance he trod on a trap and the board rolled, and there Sir
Launcelot fell down more than ten fathom into a cave full of straw;
and then Sir Meliagrance departed and made no fare as that he nist
where he was.
And when Sir Launcelot was thus missed they marvelled where he
was become ; and then the queen and many of them deemed that he
was departed as he was wont to do, suddenly. For Sir Meliagrance
made suddenly to put away aside Sir Lavaine's horse, that they might
all understand that Sir Launcelot was departed suddenly. So it passed
on till after dinner ; and then Sir Lavaine would not stint until that he
ordained litters for the wounded knights, that they might be laid in
them; and so with the queen and them all, both ladies and gentle-
women and other, went unto Westminster; and there the knights told
King Arthur how Meliagrance had appealed the queen of high treason,
and how Sir Launcelot had received the glove of him : And this day
eight days they shall do battle afore you. By my head, said King
Arthur, I am afeard Sir Meliagrance hath taken upon him a great
charge ; but where is Sir Launcelot ? said the king. Sir, said they all, we
wot not where he is, but we deem he is ridden to some adventures, as
he is ofttimes wont to do, for he hath Sir Lavaine's horse. Let him be,
said the king, he will be founden, but if he be trapped with some treason.
CHAPTER VI 1 1. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS DELIVERED
OUT OF PRISON BY A LADY, AND TOOK A WHITE
COURSER AND CAME FOR TO KEEP HIS DAY
I O leave we Sir Launcelot lying within that cave in great pain ;
and every day there came a lady and brought him his meat
and his drink, and wooed him, to have lain by him ; and ever
the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, said her nay. Sir Launcelot,
said she, ye are not wise, for ye may never out of this prison, but if ye
have my help ; and also your lady, Queen Guenever, shall be brent in
your default, unless that ye be there at the day of battle. God defend,
said Sir Launcelot, that she should be brent in my default ; and if it be
so, said Sir Launcelot, that I may not be there, it shall be well under-
standed, both at the king and at the queen, and with all men of worship,
that I am dead, sick, outher in prison. For all men that know me will
say for me that I am in some evil case an I be not there that day ; and
well I wot there is some good knight either of my blood, or some other
132 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
that loveth me, that will take my quarrel in hand ; and therefore, said
Sir Launcelot, wit ye well ye shall not fear me ; and if there were no
more women in all this land but ye, I will not have ado with you. Then
art thou shamed, said the lady, and destroyed for ever. As for world's
shame, Jesu defend me, and as for my distress, it is welcome whatso-
ever it be that God sendeth me.
So she came to him the same day that the battle should be, and said :
Sir Launcelot, methinketh ye are too hard-hearted, but wouldest thou
but kiss me once I should deliver thee, and thine armour, and the best
horse that is within Sir Meliagrance's stable. As for to kiss you, said
Sir Launcelot, I may do that and lose no worship ; and wit ye well an
I understood there were any disworship for to kiss you I would not do
it. Then he kissed her, and then she gat him, and brought him to his
armour. And when he was armed, she brought him to a stable, where
stood twelve good coursers, and bade him choose the best. Then Sir
Launcelot looked upon a white courser the which liked him best ; and
anon he commanded the keepers fast to saddle him with the best
saddle of war that there was ; and so it was done as he bade. Then
gat he his spear in his hand, and his sword by his side, and commended
the lady unto God, and said : Lady, for this good deed I shall do you
service if ever it be in my power.
CHAPTER IX. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME THE SAME
TIME THAT SIR MELIAGRANCE ABODE HIM IN THE
FIELD AND DRESSED HIM TO BATTLE
"OW leave we Sir Launcelot wallop all that he might, and
speak we of Queen Guenever that was brought to a fire to
be brent ; for Sir Meliagrance was sure, him thought, that
Sir Launcelot should not be at that battle ; therefore he ever
cried upon King Arthur to do him justice, other-else bring forth Sir
Launcelot du Lake. Then was the king and all the court full sore
abashed and shamed that the queen should be brent in the default of
Sir Launcelot. My lord Arthur, said Sir Lavaine, ye may understand
that it is not well with my lord Sir Launcelot, for an he were alive, so
he be not sick outher in prison, wit ye well he would be here; for never
heard ye that ever he failed his part for whom he should do battle for.
And therefore, said Sir Lavaine, my lord, King Arthur, I beseech you
give me license to do battle here this day for my lord and master, and
Chap. 9 LAUNCELOT FIGHTS FOR THE QUEEN 133
for to save my lady, the queen. Gramercy gentle Sir Lavaine, said
King Arthur, for I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance putteth upon my
lady the queen is wrong, for I have spoken with all the ten wounded
knights, and there is not one of them, an he were whole and able to do
battle, but he would prove upon Sir Meliagrance's body that it is false
that he putteth upon my queen. So shall I, said Sir Lavaine, in the
defence of my lord, Sir Launcelot, an ye will give me leave. Now I
give you leave, said King Arthur, and do your best, for I dare well say
there is some treason done to Sir Launcelot.
Then was Sir Lavaine armed and horsed, and suddenly at the lists'
end he rode to perform this battle; and right as the heralds should
cry : Lesses les aler, right so came in Sir Launcelot driving with all the
force of his horse. And then Arthur cried : Ho ! and Abide ! Then was
Sir Launcelot called on horseback to-fore King Arthur, and there he
told openly to-fore the king and all, how Sir Meliagrance had served
him first to last. And when the king, and the queen, and all the lords,
knew of the treason of Sir Meliagrance they were all ashamed on his
behalf. Then was Queen Guenever sent for, and set by the king in
great trust of her champion. And then there was no more else to say,
but Sir Launcelot and Sir Meliagrance dressed them unto battle, and
took their spears ; and so they came together as thunder, and there Sir
Launcelot bare him down quite over his horse's croup. And then Sir
Launcelot alighted and dressed his shield on his shoulder, with his
sword in his hand, and Sir Meliagrance in the same wise dressed him
unto him, and there they smote many great strokes together; and at
the last Sir Launcelot smote him such a buffet upon the helmet that he
fell on the one side to the earth. And then he cried upon him aloud :
Most noble knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake, save my life, for I yield me
unto you, and I require you, as ye be a knight and fellow of the Table
Round, slay me not, for I yield me as overcome ; and whether I shall
live or die I put me in the king's hands and yours.
Then Sir Launcelot wist not what to do, for he had had liefer than
all the good of the world he might have been revenged upon Sir Melia-
grance ; and Sir Launcelot looked up to the Queen Guenever, if he
might espy by any sign or countenance what she would have done.
And then the queen wagged her head upon Sir Launcelot, as though
she would say : Slay him. Full well knew Sir Launcelot by the wag-
ging of her head that she would have him dead ; then Sir Launcelot
134 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
bade him rise for shame and perform that battle to the utterance. Nay,
said Sir Meliagrance, I will never arise until ye take me as yolden and
recreant. I shall proffer you large proffers, said Sir Launcelot, that is
for to say, I shall unarm my head and my left quarter of my body, all
that may be unarmed, and let bind my left hand behind me, so that
it shall not help me, and right so I shall do battle with you. Then Sir
Meliagrance started up upon his legs, and said on high: My lord
Arthur, take heed to this proffer, for I will take it, and let him be dis-
armed and bounden according to his proffer. What say ye, said King
Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, will ye abide by your proffer? Yea, my
lord, said Sir Launcelot, I will never go from that I have once said.
Then the knights parters of the field disarmed Sir Launcelot, first
his head, and sithen his left arm, and his left side, and they bound his
left arm behind his back, without shield or anything, and then they
were put together. Wit you well there was many a lady and knight
marvelled that Sir Launcelot would jeopardy himself in such wise.
Then Sir Meliagrance came with his sword all on high, and Sir
Launcelot showed him openly his bare head and the bare left side ;
and when he weened to have smitten him upon the bare head, then
lightly he avoided the left leg and the left side, and put his right hand
and his sword to that stroke, and so put it on side with great sleight;
and then with great force Sir Launcelot smote him on the helmet such
a buffet that the stroke carved the head in two parts. Then there was
no more to do, but he was drawn out of the field. And at the great
instance of the knights of the Table Round, the king suffered him to
be interred, and the mention made upon him, who slew him, and for
what cause he was slain ; and then the king and the queen made more
of Sir Launcelot du Lake, and more he was cherished, than ever he
was aforehand.
CHAPTER X. HOW SIR URRE CAME INTO ARTHUR'S
COURT FOR TO BE HEALED OF HIS WOUNDS, AND
HOW KING ARTHUR WOULD BEGIN TO HANDLE HIM
p, — | | — ^HEN as the French book maketh mention, there was a good
knight in the land of Hungary, his name was Sir Urre, and
he was an adventurous knight, and in all places where he
might hear of any deeds of worship there would he be. So
it happened in Spain there was an earl's son, his name was Alphegus,
Chap. 10 HOW SIR URRE CAME TO ARTHUR 135
and at a great tournament in Spain this Sir Urre, knight of Hungary,
and Sir Alphegus of Spain encountered together for very envy ; and
so either undertook other to the utterance. And by fortune Sir Urre
slew Sir Alphegus, the earl's sonof Spain, but this knight that was slain
had given Sir Urre, or ever he was slain, seven great wounds, three
on the head, and four on his body and upon his left hand. And this
Sir Alphegus had a mother, the which was a great sorceress; and
she, for the despite of her son's death, wrought by her subtle crafts
that Sir Urre should never be whole, but ever his wounds should one
time fester and another time bleed, so that he should never be whole
until the best knight of the world had searched his wounds ; and thus
she made her avaunt, wherethrough it was known that Sir Urre should
never be whole.
Then his mother let make an horse litter, and put him therein under
two palfreys ; and then she took Sir Urre's sister with him, a full fair
damosel, whose name was Felelolie ; and then she took a page with him
to keep their horses, and so they led Sir Urre through many countries.
For as the French book saith, she led him so seven year through all
lands christened, and never she could find no knight that might ease
her son. So she came into Scotland and into the lands of England, and
by fortune she came nigh the feast of Pentecost until King Arthur's
court, that at that time was holden at Carlisle. And when she came
there, then she made it openly to be known howthat she was come into
that land for to heal her son.
Then King Arthur let call that lady, and asked her the cause why
she brought that hurt knight into that land. My most noble king, said
that lady, wit you well I brought him hither for to be healed of his
wounds, that of all this seven year he might not be whole. And then
she told the king where he was wounded, and of whom; and how his
mother had discovered in her pride how she had wrought that by
enchantment, so that he should never be whole until the best knight of
the world had searched his wounds. And so I have passed through all
the lands christened to have him healed, except this land. And if I
fail to heal him here in this land, I will never take more pain upon me,
and that is pity, for he was a good knight, and of great nobleness.
What is his name? said Arthur. My good and gracious lord, she said,
his name is Sir Urre of the Mount. In good time, said the king, and sith
ye are come into this land, ye are right welcome ; and wit you well here
i36 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
shall your son be healed, an ever any Christian man may heal him.
And for to give all other men of worship courage, I myself will assay
to handle your son, and so shall all the kings, dukes, and earls that be
here present with me at this time ; thereto will I command them, and
well I wot they shall obey and do after my commandment. And wit
you well, said King Arthur unto Urre's sister, I shall begin to handle
him, and search unto my power, not presuming upon me that I am so
worthy to heal your son by my deeds, but I will courage other men of
worship to do as I will do. And then the king commanded all the kings,
dukes, and earls, and all noble knights of the Round Table that were
there that time present, to come into the meadow of Carlisle. And so
at that time there were but an hundred and ten of the Round Table,
for forty knights were that time away ; and so here we must begin at
King Arthur, as is kindly to begin at him that was the most man of
worship that was christened at that time.
CHAPTER XI. HOW KING ARTHUR HANDLED SIR URRE,
AND AFTER HIM MANY OTHER KNIGHTS OF THE
ROUND TABLE
p — I 1 — ^HEN King Arthur looked upon Sir Urre, and the king
thought he was a full likely man when he was whole ; and
then King Arthur made him to be taken down off the litter
and laid him upon the earth, and there was laid a cushion of
gold that he should kneel upon. And then noble Arthur said : Fair
knight, me repenteth of thy hurt, and for to courage all other noble
knights I will pray thee softly to suffer me to handle your wounds.
Most noble christened king, said Urre, do as ye list, for I am at the
mercy of God, and at your commandment. So then Arthur softly
handled him, and then some of his wounds renewed upon bleeding.
Then the King Clarence of Northumberland searched, and it would
not be. And then Sir Barant le Apres that was called the King with
the Hundred Knights, he assayed and failed; and so did King Uriens
of the land of Gore ; so did King Anguish of Ireland ; so did King
Nentres of Garloth; so did King Carados of Scotland; so did the Duke
Galahad, the haut prince ; so did Constantine, that was Sir Carados'
son of Cornwall ; so did Duke Chaleins of Clarance ; so did the Earl
Ulbause ; so did the Earl Lambaile ; so did the Earl Aristause.
Then came in Sir Gawaine with his three sons, Sir Gingalin, Sir
Chap. 1 1 OF THE KNIGHTS AND SIR URRE 137
Florence, and Sir Lovel, these two were begotten upon Sir Brandiles'
sister; and all they failed. Then came in Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris,
Sir Mordred, and the good knight, Sir Gareth, that was of very knight-
hood worth all the brethren. So came knights of Launcelot's kin, but
Sir Launcelot was not that time in the court, for he was that time upon
his adventures. Then Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors de
Ganis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalantine,
Sir Galihodin, Sir Menaduke, Sir Villiars the Valiant, Sir Hebes le
Renoumes. All these were of Sir Launcelot's kin, and all they failed.
Then came in Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir
Dinadan, Sir Bruin le Noire, that Sir Kay named La Cote Male Taile,
and Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Kay de Stranges, Sir Meliot de Logris,
Sir Petipase of Winchelsea, Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of the
Mountain, Sir Cardok, Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, and Sir Ozanna le
Cure Hardy.
Then came in Sir Astamor, and Sir Gromere, Grummor's son, Sir
Crosselm, Sir Servause le Breuse, that was called a passing strong
knight, for as the book saith, the chief Lady of the Lake feasted Sir
Launcelot and Servause le Breuse, and when she had feasted them
both at sundry times she prayed them to give her a boon. And they
granted it her. And then she prayed Sir Servause that he would pro-
mise her never to do battle against Sir Launcelot du Lake, and in the
same wise she prayed Sir Launcelot never to do battle against Sir
Servause, and so either promised her. For the French book saith, that
Sir Servause had never courage nor lust to do battle against no man,
but if it were against giants, and against dragons, and wild beasts. So
we pass unto them that at the king's request made them all that were
there at that high feast, as of the knights of the Table Round, for to
search Sir Urre : to that intent the king did it, to wit which was the
noblest knight among them.
Then came Sir Aglovale, Sir Durnore, Sir Tor, that was begotten
upon Aries, the cowherd's wife, but he was begotten afore Aries
wedded her, and King Pellinore begat them all, first Sir Tor, Sir Agio-
vale, Sir Durnore, Sir Lamorak, the most noblest knight one that ever
was in Arthur's days as for a worldly knight, and Sir Percivale that
was peerless except Sir Galahad in holy deeds, but they died in the
quest of the Sangreal. Then came Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Sir Lucan
the Butler, Sir Bedivere his brother, Sir Brandiles, Sir Constantine,
iv t
138 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
Sir Cador's son of Cornwall, that was king after Arthur's days, and Sir
Clegis, Sir Sadok, Sir Dinas le Seneschal of Cornwall, Sir Fergus, Sir
Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir Clarrus of Cleremont, Sir Cloddrus, Sir
Hectimere, Sir Edward of Carnarvon, Sir Dinas, Sir Priamus, that was
christened by Sir Tristram the noble knight, and these three were
brethren ; Sir Hellaine le Blank that was son to Sir Bors, he begat him
upon King Brandegoris' daughter, and Sir Brian de Listinoise; Sir
Gautere, Sir Reynold, Sir Gillemere, were three brethren that Sir
Launcelot won upon a bridge in Sir Kay's arms. Sir Guyart le Petite,
Sir Bellangere le Beuse, that was son to the good knight, Sir Alisan-
der leOrphelin, that was slain by the treason of King Mark. Also that
traitor king slew the noble knight Sir Tristram, as he sat harping afore
his lady La Beale Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, for whose death was
much bewailing of every knight that ever were in Arthur's days ;
there was never none so bewailed as was Sir Tristram and Sir Lamo-
rak, for they were traitorously slain, Sir Tristram by King Mark, and
Sir Lamorak by Sir Gawaine and his brethren. And this Sir Bellan-
gere revenged the death of his father Alisander, and Sir Tristram
slew King Mark, and La Beale Isoud died swooning upon the corse of
Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity. And all that were with King
Mark that were consenting to the death of Sir Tristram were slain, as
Sir Andred and many other.
Then came Sir Hebes, Sir Morganore, Sir Sentraile, Sir Suppina-
bilis, Sir Bellangere le Orgulous, that the good knight Sir Lamorak
won in plain battle ; Sir Nerovens and SirPlenorius, two good knights
that Sir Launcelot won; Sir Darras, Sir Harry le Fise Lake, Sir
Erminide, brother to King Hermaunce, for whom Sir Palomides fought
at the Red City with two brethren ; and Sir Selises of the Dolorous
Tower, Sir Edward of Orkney, Sir Ironside, that was called the noble
Knight of the Red Launds that Sir Gareth won for the love of Dame
Liones, Sir Arrok de Grevaunt, Sir Degrane Saunce Velany that
fought with the giant of the black lowe, Sir Epinogris, that was the
king's son of Northumberland. Sir Pelleas that loved the lady Ettard,
and he had died for her love had not been one of the ladies of the lake,
her name was Dame Nimue, and she wedded Sir Pelleas, and she
saved him that he was never slain, and he was a full noble knight; and
Sir Lamiel of Cardiff that was a great lover. Sir Plaine de Fors, Sir
Melleaus de Lile, Sir Bohart le Cure Hardy that was King Arthur's
Chap. 12 OF LAUNCELOT AND SIR URRE 139
son, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Colgrevance, Sir Hervise de la Forest
Savage, Sir Marrok, the good knight that was betrayed with his wife,
for she made him seven year a wer-wolf, Sir Persaunt, Sir Pertilope,
his brother, that was called the Green Knight, and Sir Perimones,
brother to them both, that was called the Red Knight, that Sir Gareth
won when he was called Beaumains. All these hundred knights
and ten searched Sir Urre's wounds by the commandment of King
Arthur.
CHAPTER XII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS COM-
MANDED BY ARTHUR TO HANDLE HIS WOUNDS, AND
ANON HE WAS ALL WHOLE, AND HOW THEY
THANKED GOD
'ERCYJesu, said King Arthur, where is SirLauncelot du
Lake that he is not here at this time ? Thus, as they stood
and spake of many things, there was espied Sir Launce-
lot that came riding toward them, and told the king.
Peace, said the king, let no manner thing be said until he be come to
us. So when Sir Launcelot espied King Arthur, he descended from
his horse and came to the king, and saluted him and them all. Anon as
the maid, Sir Urre's sister, saw Sir Launcelot, she ran to her brother
thereas he lay in his litter, and said : Brother, here is come a knight
that my heart giveth greatly unto. Fair sister, said Sir Urre, so doth
my heart light against him, and certainly I hope now to be healed, for
my heart giveth unto him more than to all these that have searched
me.
Then said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot : Ye must do as we have done ;
and told Sir Launcelot what they had done, and showed him them all,
that had searched him. Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot, when so
many kings and knights have assayed and failed, that I should pre-
sume upon me to enchieve that all ye, my lords, might not enchieve.
Ye shall not choose, said King Arthur, for I will command you for to do
as we all have done. My most renowned lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye
know well I dare not nor may not disobey your commandment, but an
I might or durst, wit you well I would not take upon me to touch that
wounded knight in that intent that I should pass all other knights ; Jesu
defend me from that shame. Ye take it wrong, said King Arthur, ye
shall not do it for no presumption, but for to bear us fellowship, inso-
140 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XIX
much ye be a fellow of the Table Round ; and wit you well, said King
Arthur, an ye prevail not and heal him, I dare say there is no knight
in this land may heal him, and therefore I pray you, do as we have
done.
And then all the kings and knights for the most part prayed Sir
Launcelot to search him ; and then the wounded knight, Sir Urre, set
him up weakly, and prayed Sir Launcelot heartily, saying : Courteous
knight, I require thee for God's sake heal my wounds, for methinketh
ever sithen ye came here my wounds grieve me not. Ah, my fair lord,
said Sir Launcelot, Jesu would that I might help you ; I shame me sore
that I should be thus rebuked, for never was I able in worthiness to do
so high a thing. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down by the wounded
knight saying : My lord Arthur, I must do your commandment, the
which is sore against my heart. And then he held up his hands, and
looked into the east, saying secretly unto himself: Thou blessed
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I beseech thee of thy mercy, that my
simple worship and honesty be saved, and thou blessed Trinity, thou
mayst give power to heal this sick knight by thy great virtue and grace
of thee, but, Good Lord, never of myself. And then Sir Launcelot
prayed Sir Urre to let him see his head ; and then devoutly kneeling
he ransacked the three wounds, that they bled a little, and forthwith
all the wounds fair healed, and seemed as they had been whole a seven
year. And in likewise he searched his body of other three wounds,
and they healed in likewise ; and then the last of all he searched the
which was in his hand, and anon it healed fair.
Then King Arthur and all the kings and knights kneeled down and
gave thankings and lovings unto God and to His Blessed Mother. And
ever Sir Launcelot wept as he had been a child that had been beaten.
Then King Arthur let array priests and clerks in the most devoutest
manner, to bring in Sir Urre within Carlisle, with singing and loving
to God. And when this was done, the king let clothe him in the richest
manner that could be thought; and then were there but few better
made knights in all the court, for he was passingly well made and
bigly ; and Arthur asked Sir Urre how he felt himself. My good lord,
he said, I felt myself never so lusty. Will ye joust and do deeds of
arms? said King Arthur. Sir, said Urre, an I had all that longed unto
jousts I would be soon ready.
Chap. 13 HOW SIR URRE JOUSTED 141
CHAPTER XIII. HOW THERE WAS A PARTY MADE
OF AN HUNDRED KNIGHTS AGAINST AN HUNDRED
KNIGHTS, AND OF OTHER MATTERS
^ — I I — ^HEN Arthur made a party of hundred knights to be against
an hundred knights. And so upon the morn they jousted for
a diamond, but there jousted none of the dangerous knights ;
and so for to shorten this tale, Sir Urre and Sir Lavaine
jousted best that day, for there was none of them but he overthrew
and pulled down thirty knights ; and then by the assent of all the kings
and lords, Sir Urre and Sir Lavaine were made knights of the Table
Round. And Sir Lavaine cast his love unto Dame Felelolie, Sir Urre's
sister, and then they were wedded together with great joy, and King
Arthur gave to everych of them a barony of lands. And this Sir Urre
would never go from Sir Launcelot, but he and Sir Lavaine awaited
evermore upon him ; and they were in all the court accounted for good
knights, and full desirous in arms; and many noble deeds they did, for
they would have no rest, but ever sought adventures.
Thus they lived in all that court with great noblesse and joy long
time. But every night and day Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother,
awaited Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot du Lake to put them to a
rebuke and shame. And so I leave here of this tale, and overskip great
books of Sir Launcelot du Lake, what great adventures he did when
he was called Le Chevaler du Chariot. For as the French book saith,
because of despite that knights and ladies called him the knight that
rode in the chariot like as he were judged to the gallows, therefore in
despite of all them that named him so, he was carried in a chariot a
twelvemonth, for, but little after that he had slain Sir Meliagrance in
the queen's quarrel, he never in a twelvemonth came on horseback.
And as the French book saith, he did that twelvemonth more than
forty battles. And because I have lost the very matter of Le Chevaler
du Chariot, I depart from the tale of Sir Launcelot, and here I go unto
the morte of King Arthur ; and that caused Sir Agravaine.
EXPLICIT LIBER XIX.
AND HEREAFTER FOLLOWETH THE MOST PITEOUS
HISTORY OF THE MORTE OF KING ARTHUR, THE WHICH
IS THE TWENTIETH BOOK
BOOK XX
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR AGRAVAINE AND SIR MORDRED
WERE BUSY UPON SIR GAWAINE FOR TO DISCLOSE
THE LOVE BETWEEN SIR LAUNCELOT AND QUEEN
GUENEVER
"N May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, for
as the season is lusty to behold and comfortable, so man and
woman rejoice and gladden of summer coming with his fresh
. flowers : for winter with his rough winds and blasts causeth a
lusty man and woman to cower, and sit fast by the fire. So in this
season, as in the month of May, it befell a great anger and unhap that
stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed and
slain ; and all was long upon two unhappy knights, the which were
named Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were brethren unto Sir
Gawaine. For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred had ever a privy
hate unto the queen Dame Guenever and to Sir Launcelot, and daily
and nightly they ever watched upon Sir Launcelot.
So it mishapped, Sir Gawaine and all his brethren were in King
Arthur's chamber ; and then Sir Agravaine said thus openly, and not
in no counsel, that many knights might hear it : I marvel that we all be
not ashamed both to see and to know how Sir Launcelot lieth daily
and nightly by the queen, and all we know it so ; and it is shamefully
suffered of us all, that we all should suffer so noble a king as King
Arthur is so to be shamed.
Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said : Brother Sir Agravaine, I pray
you and charge you move no such matters no more afore me, for wit
you well, said Sir Gawaine, I will not be of your counsel. So God me
help, said Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, we will not be knowing, brother
Agravaine, of your deeds. Then will I, said Sir Mordred. Ilievewell
that, said Sir Gawaine, for ever unto all unhappiness, brother Sir
Mordred, thereto will ye grant; and I would that ye left all this, and
made you not so busy, for I know, said Sir Gawaine, what will fall of it.
Fall of it what fall may, said Sir Agravaine, I will disclose it to the king.
Not by my counsel, said Sir Gawaine, for an there rise war and wrack
Chap. 2 OF AGRAVAINE AND KING ARTHUR 143
betwixt Sir Launcelot and us, wit you well brother, there will many
kings and great lords hold with Sir Launcelot. Also, brother Sir
Agravaine, said Sir Gawaine, ye must remember how ofttimes Sir
Launcelot hath rescued the king and the queen; and the best of us all
had been full cold at the heart-root had not Sir Launcelot been better
than we, and that hath he proved himself full oft. And as for my part,
said Sir Gawaine, I will never be against Sir Launcelot for one day's
deed, when he rescued me from KingCarados of the Dolorous Tower,
and slew him, and saved my life. Also, brother Sir Agravaine and Sir
Mordred, in like wise Sir Launcelot rescued you both, and threescore
and two, from Sir Turquin. Methinketh brother, such kind deeds and
kindness should be remembered. Do as ye list, said Sir Agravaine,
for I will lain it no longer. With these words came to them King
Arthur. Now brother, stint your noise, said Sir Gawaine. We will
not, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred. Will ye so? said Sir
Gawaine ; then God speed you, for I will not hear your tales ne be of
your counsel. No more will I, said Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, for we
will never say evil by that man; for because, said Sir Gareth, Sir
Launcelot made me knight, by no manner owe I to say ill of him : and
therewithal they three departed, making great dole. Alas, said Sir
Gawaine and Sir Gareth, now is this realm wholly mischieved, and
the noble fellowship of the Round Table shall be disparpled : so they
departed.
CHAPTER II. HOW SIR AGRAVAINE DISCLOSED THEIR
LOVE TO KING ARTHUR, AND HOW KING ARTHUR
GAVE THEM LICENCE TO TAKE HIM
, ND then Sir Arthur asked them what noise they made. My
lord, said Agravaine, I shall tell you that I may keep no
longer. Here is I, and my brother Sir Mordred, brake unto
my brothers Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and to Sir Gareth,
how this we know all, that Sir Launcelot holdeth your queen, and hath
done long; and we be your sister's sons, and we may suffer it no
longer, and all we wot that ye should be above Sir Launcelot; and ye
are the king that made him knight, and therefore we will prove it, that
he is a traitor to your person.
If it be so, said Sir Arthur, wit you well he is none other, but I would
be loath to begin such a thing but I might have proofs upon it ; for Sir
144 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
Launcelot is an hardy knight, and all ye know he is the best knight
among us all; and but if he be taken with the deed, he will fight with
him that bringeth up the noise, and I know no knight that is able to
match him. Therefore an it be sooth as ye say, I would he were taken
with the deed. For as the French book saith, the king was full loath
thereto, that any noise should be upon Sir Launcelot and his queen ;
for the king had a deeming, but he would not hear of it, for Sir Launce-
lot had done so much for him and the queen so many times, that wit ye
well the king loved him passingly well. My lord, said Sir Agravaine,
ye shall ride to-morn a-hunting, and doubt ye not Sir Launcelot will
not go with you. Then when it draweth toward night, ye may send
the queen word that ye will lie out all that night, and so may ye send
for your cooks, and then upon pain of death we shall take him that
night with the queen, and outher we shall bring him to you dead or
quick. I will well, said the king ; then I counsel you, said the king, take
with you sure fellowship. Sir, said Agravaine, my brother, Sir Mor-
dred, and I, will take with us twelve knights of the Round Table.
Beware, said King Arthur, for I warn you ye shall find him wight. Let
us deal, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred.
So on the morn King Arthur rode a-hunting, and sent word to the
queen that he would be out all that night. Then Sir Agravaine and
Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights, and hid themself in a cham-
ber in the Castle of Carlisle, and these were their names : Sir Col-
grevance, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Gingaline, Sir Meliot de Logris,
Sir Petipase of Winchelsea, Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of the
Mountain, Sir Astamore, Sir Gromore Somir Joure, Sir Curselaine, Sir
Florence, Sir Lovel. So these twelve knights were with Sir Mordred
and Sir Agravaine, and all they were of Scotland, outher of Sir
Gawaine's kin, either well-willers to his brethren.
So when the night came, Sir Launcelot told Sir Bors how he would
go that night and speak with the queen. Sir, said Sir Bors, ye shall
not go this night by my counsel. Why? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said
Sir Bors, I dread me ever of Sir Agravaine, that waiteth you daily to
do you shame and us all ; and never gave my heart against no going,
that ever ye went to the queen, so much as now ; for I mistrust that the
king is out this night from the queen because peradventure he hath
lain some watch for you and the queen, and therefore I dread me sore
of treason. Have ye no dread, said Sir Launcelot, for I shall go and come
Chap. 3 LAUNCELOT IS ESPIED WITH THE QUEEN 145
again, and make no tarrying. Sir, said Sir Bors, that me repenteth, for
I dread me sore that your going out this night shall wrath us all. Fair
nephew, said Sir Launcelot, I marvel much why ye say thus, sithen
the queen hath sent for me ; and wit ye well I will not be so much a
coward, but she shall understand I will see her good grace. God speed
you well, said Sir Bors, and send you sound and safe again.
CHAPTER III. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WAS ESPIED IN
THE QUEEN'S CHAMBER, AND HOW SIR AGRAVAINE
AND SIR MORDRED CAME WITH TWELVE KNIGHTS
TO SLAY HIM
Sir Launcelot departed, and took his sword under his arm,
and so in his mantle that noble knight put himself in great jeo-
i pardy ; and so he passed till he came to the queen's chamber,
and then Sir Launcelot was lightly put into the chamber. And
then, as the French book saith, the queen and Launcelot were together.
And whether they were abed or at other manner of disports, me list
not hereof make no mention, for love that time was not as is now-a-
days. But thus as they were together, there came Sir Agravaine and
Sir Mordred, with twelve knights with them of the Round Table, and
they said with crying voice : Traitor-knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake,
now art thou taken. And thus they cried with a loud voice, that all the
court might hear it ; and they all fourteen were armed at all points as
they should fight in a battle. Alas, said Queen Guenever, now are we
mischieved both. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, is there here any
armour within your chamber, that I might cover my poor body withal?
An if there be any give it me, and I shall soon stint their malice, by the
grace of God. Truly, said the queen, I have none armour, shield,
sword, nor spear; wherefore I dread me sore our long love is come to
a mischievous end, for I hear by their noise there be many noble
knights, and well I wot they be surely armed ; against them ye may
make no resistance. Wherefore ye are likely to be slain, and then
shall I be brent. For an ye might escape them, said the queen, I would
not doubt but that ye would rescue me in what danger that ever I stood
in. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, in all my life thus was I never bestead, that
I should be thus shamefully slain for lack of mine armour.
But ever in one Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred cried : Traitor-
knight, come out of the queen's chamber, for wit thou well thou art so
iv u
146 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
beset that thou shalt not escape. O Jesu mercy, said Sir Launcelot,
this shameful cry and noise I may not suffer, for better were death at
once than thus to endure this pain. Then he took the queen in his
arms, and kissed her, and said : Most noble Christian queen, I beseech
you as ye have been ever my special good lady, and I at all times your
true poor knight unto my power, and as I never failed you in right nor
in wrong sithen the first day King Arthur made me knight, that ye will
pray for my soul if that I here be slain ; for well I am assured that Sir
Bors, my nephew, and all the remnant of my kin, with Sir Lavaine
and Sir Urre, that they will not fail you to rescue you from the fire ; and
therefore, mine own lady, recomfort yourself, whatsomever come of
me, that ye go with Sir Bors, my nephew, and Sir Urre, and they all
will do you all the pleasure that they can or may, that ye shall live like
a queen upon my lands. Nay, Launcelot, said the queen, wit thou well
I will never live after thy days, but an thou be slain I will take my
death as meekly for Jesu Christ's sake as ever did any Christian queen.
Well, madam, said Launcelot, sith it is so that the day is come that our
love must depart, wit you well I shall sell my life as dear as I may ; and
a thousandfold, said Sir Launcelot, I am more heavier for you than for
myself. And now I had liefer than to be lord of all Christendom, that
I had sure armour upon me, that men might speak of my deeds or ever
I were slain. Truly, said the queen, I would an it might please God
that they would take me and slay me, and suffer you to escape. That
shall never be, said Sir Launcelot, God defend me from such a shame,
but Jesu be Thou my shield and mine armour!
CHAPTER IV. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT SLEW SIR COL-
GREVANCE, AND ARMED HIM IN HIS HARNESS, AND
AFTER SLEW SIR AGRAVAINE, AND TWELVE OF HIS
FELLOWS
~"\\ ND therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped his mantle about his arm
/\\ well and surely ; and by then they had gotten a great form
I A out of the hall, and therewithal they rashed at the door.
^/L JLX Fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, leave your noise and your
rashing, and I shall set open this door, and then may ye do with me
what it likethyou. Come off then, said they all, and do it, for it availeth
thee not to strive against us all ; and therefore let us into this chamber,
and we shall save thy life until thou come to King Arthur. Then
Chap. 4 OF LAUNCELOT AND COLGREVANCE 147
Launcelot unbarred the door, and with his left hand he held it open a
little, so that but one man might come in at once ; and so there came
striding a good knight, a much man and large, and his name was
Colgrevance of Gore, and he with a sword struck at Sir Launcelot
mightily ; and he put aside the stroke, and gave him such a buffet upon
the helmet, that he fell grovelling dead within the chamber door. And
then Sir Launcelot with great might drew that dead knight within the
chamber door; and Sir Launcelot with help of the queen and her
ladies was lightly armed in Sir Colgrevance's armour.
And ever stood Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred crying : Traitor-
knight, come out of the queen's chamber. Leave your noise, said Sir
Launcelot unto Sir Agravaine, for wit you well, Sir Agravaine, ye
shall not prison me this night ; and therefore an ye do by my counsel,
go ye all from this chamber door, and make not such crying and such
manner of slander as ye do ; for I promise you by my knighthood, an
ye will depart and make no more noise, I shall as to-morn appear afore
you all before the king, and then let it be seen which of you all, outher
else ye all, that will accuse me of treason ; and there I shall answer you
as a knight should, that hither I came to the queen for no manner of
mal engin, and that will I prove and make it good upon you with my
hands. Fie on thee, traitor, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, we
will have thee maugre thy head, and slay thee if we list; for we let
thee wit we have the choice of King Arthur to save thee or to slay
thee. Ah sirs, said Sir Launcelot, is there none other grace with you?
then keep yourself.
So then Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber door, and mightily
and knightly he strode in amongst them ; and anon at the first buffet
he slew Sir Agravaine. And twelve of his fellows after, within a little
while after, he laid them cold to the earth, for there was none of the
twelve that might stand Sir Launcelot one buffet. Also Sir Launcelot
wounded Sir Mordred, and he fled with all his might. And then Sir
Launcelot returned again unto the queen, and said : Madam, now wit
you well all our true love is brought to an end, for now will King
Arthur ever be my foe ; and therefore, madam, an it like you that I
may have you with me, I shall save you from all manner adventures
dangerous. That is not best, said the queen ; meseemeth now ye have
done so much harm, it will be best ye hold you still with this. And if
ye see that as to-morn they will put me unto the death, then may ye
148 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
rescue me as ye think best. I will well, said Sir Launcelot, for have ye
no doubt, while I am living I shall rescue you. And then he kissed her,
and either gave other a ring ; and so there he left the queen, and went
until his lodging.
CHAPTER V. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO SIR
BORS, AND TOLD HIM HOW HE HAD SPED, AND IN
WHAT ADVENTURE HE HAD BEEN, AND HOW HE
HAD ESCAPED
"HEN Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot he was never so
glad of his home-coming as he was then. Jesu mercy,
said Sir Launcelot, why be ye all armed : what mean-
eth this? Sir, said Sir Bors, after ye were departed
from us, we all that be of your blood and your well-willers were so
dretched that some of us leapt out of our beds naked, and some in their
dreams caught naked swords in their hands ; therefore, said Sir Bors,
we deem there is some great strife at hand ; and then we all deemed
that ye were betrapped with some treason, and therefore we made us
thus ready, what need that ever ye were in.
My fair nephew, said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Bors, now shall ye wit
all, that this night I was more harder bestead than ever I was in my life,
and yet I escaped. And so he told them all how and in what manner,
as ye have heard to-fore. And therefore, my fellows, said Sir Launce-
lot, I pray you all that ye will be of good heart in what need somever I
stand, for now is war come to us all. Sir, said Bors, all is welcome that
God sendeth us, and we have had much weal with you and much
worship, and therefore we will take the woe with you as we have
taken the weal. And therefore, they said all -there were many good
knights, - look ye take no discomfort, for there nis no bands of knights
under heaven but we shall be able to grieve them as much as they may
us. And therefore discomfort not yourself by no manner, and we shall
gather together that we love, and that loveth us, and what that ye will
have done shall be done. And therefore, Sir Launcelot, said they, we
will take the woe with the weal. Grant mercy, said Sir Launcelot, of
your good comfort, for in my great distress, my fair nephew, ye comfort
me greatly, and much I am beholding unto you. But this, my fair
nephew, I would that ye did in all haste that ye may, or it be forth
days, that ye will look in their lodging that be lodged here nigh about
Chap. 5 OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S KIN 149
the king, which will hold with me, and which will not, for now I would
know which were my friends from my foes. Sir, said Sir Bors, I shall
do my pain, and or it be seven of the clock I shall wit of such as ye have
said before, who will hold with you.
Then Sir Bors called unto him Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir
Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalantine, Sir
Galihodin, Sir Galihud, Sir Menadeuke, Sir Villiers the Valiant, Sir
Hebes le Renoumes, Sir Lavaine, Sir Urre of Hungary, Sir Nerounes,
Sir Plenorius. These two knights Sir Launcelot made, and the one he
won upon a bridge, and therefore they would never be against him.
And Harry le Fise du Lake, and Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower,
and Sir Melias de Lile, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse, that was Sir
Alisander's son Le Orphelin, because his mother Alice le Beale
Pellerin and she was kin unto Sir Launcelot, and he held with him.
So there came Sir Palomides and Sir Safere, his brother, to hold with
Sir Launcelot, and Sir Clegis of Sadok, and Sir Dinas, Sir Clarius of
Cleremont. So these two-and-twenty knights drew them together, and
by then they were armed on horseback, and promised Sir Launcelot
to do what he would. Then there fell to them, what of North Wales
and of Cornwall, for Sir Lamorak's sake and for Sir Tristram's sake,
to the number of a fourscore knights.
My lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well, I have been ever since I
came into this country well willed unto my lord, King Arthur, and unto
my lady, Queen Guenever, unto my power ; and this night because
my lady the queen sent for me to speak with her, I suppose it was made
by treason, howbeit I dare largely excuse her person, notwithstanding
I was there by a forecast near slain, but as Jesu provided me I escaped
all their malice and treason. And then that noble knight Sir Launcelot
told them all how he was hard bestead in the queen's chamber, and
how and in what manner he escaped from them. And therefore, said
Sir Launcelot, wit you well, my fair lords, I am sure there nis but war
unto me and mine. And for because I have slain this night these
knights, I wot well, as is Sir Agravaine Sir Gawaine's brother, and at
the least twelve of his fellows, for this cause now I am sure of mortal
war, for these knights were sent and ordaine'd by King Arthur to
betray me. And therefore the king will in his heat and malice judge
the queen to the fire, and that may I not suffer, that she should be brent
for my sake ; for an I may be heard and suffered and so taken, I will
150 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
fight for the queen, that she is a true lady unto her lord ; but the king
in his heat I dread me will not take me as I ought to be taken.
CHAPTER VI. OF THE COUNSEL AND ADVICE THAT
WAS TAKEN BY SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FRIENDS FOR
TO SAVE THE QUEEN
"Y lord, Sir Launcelot, said Sir Bors, by mine advice ye
shall take the woe with the weal, and take it in patience,
and thank God of it. And sithen it is fallen as it is, I
counsel you keep yourself, for an ye will yourself, there
is no fellowship of knights christened that shall do you wrong. Also I
will counsel you my lord, Sir Launcelot, than an my lady, Queen
Guenever, be in distress, insomuch as she is in pain for your sake, that
ye knightly rescue her ; an ye did otherwise, all the world will speak
of you shame to the world's end. Insomuch as ye were taken with her,
whether ye did right or wrong, it is now your part to hold with the
queen, that she be not slain and put to a mischievous death, for an she
so die the shame shall be yours. Jesu defend me from shame, said Sir
Launcelot, and keep and save my lady the queen from villainy and
shameful death, and that she never be destroyed in my default; where-
fore my fair lords, my kin, and my friends, said Sir Launcelot, what
will ye do ? Then they said all : We will do as ye will do. I put this to
you, said Sir Launcelot, that if my lord Arthur by evil counsel will to-
morn in his heat put my lady the queen to the fire there to be brent,
now I pray you counsel me what is best to do. Then they said all at
once with one voice : Sir, us thinketh best that ye knightly rescue the
queen, insomuch as she shall be brent it is for your sake ; and it is to
suppose, an ye might be handled, ye should have the same death, or a
more shamefuler death. And sir, we say all, that ye have many times
rescued her from death for other men's quarrels, us seemeth it is more
your worship that ye rescue the queen from this peril, insomuch she
hath it for your sake.
Then Sir Launcelot stood still, and said : My fair lords, wit you well
I would be loath to do that thing that should dishonour you or my blood,
and wit you well I would be loath that my lady, the queen, should die
a shameful death ; but an it be so that ye will counsel me to rescue her,
I must do much harm or I rescue her ; and peradventure I shall there
destroy some of my best friends, that should much repent me ; and
peradventure there be some, an they could well bring it about, or dis-
Chap. 7 HOW MORDRED TOLD ARTHUR 151
obey my lord King Arthur, they would soon come to me, the which I
were loath to hurt. And if so be that I rescue her, where shall I keep
her? That shall be the least care of us all, said Sir Bors. How did the
noble knight Sir Tristram, by your good will ? kept not he with him La
Beale Isoud near three year in joyous Card ? the which was done by
your alther device, and that same place is your own ; and in likewise
may ye do an ye list, and take the queen lightly away, if it so be the
king will judge her to be brent ; and in Joyous Gard ye may keep her
long enough until the heat of the king be past. And then shall ye bring
again the queen to the king with great worship ; and then peradven-
ture ye shall have thank for her bringing home, and love and thank
where other shall have maugre.
That is hard to do, said Sir Launcelot, for by Sir Tristram I may have
a warning, for when by means of treaties, Sir Tristram brought again
La Beale Isoud unto King Mark from Joyous Gard, look what befell on
the end, how shamefully that false traitor King Mark slew him as he
sat harping afore his lady La Beale Isoud, with a grounden glaive he
thrust him in behind to the heart. It grieveth me, said Sir Launcelot,
to speak of his death, for all the world may not find such a knight. All
this is truth, said Sir Bors, but there is one thing shall courage you and
us all, ye know well King Arthur and King Mark were never like of
conditions, for there was never yet man could prove King Arthur un-
true of his promise.
So to make short tale, they were all consented that for better outher
for worse, if so were that the queen were on that morn brought to the
fire, shortly they all would rescue her. And so by the advice of Sir
Launcelot, they put them all in an embushment in a wood, as nigh
Carlisle as they might, and there they abode still, to wit what the king
would do.
CHAPTER VII. HOW SIR MORDRED RODE HASTILY TO
THE KING, TO TELL HIM OF THE AFFRAY AND DEATH
OF SIR AGRAVAINE AND THE OTHER KNIGHTS
"OW turn we again unto Sir Mordred, that when he was
escaped from the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, he anon gat
his horse and mounted upon him, and rode unto King
Arthur, sore wounded and smitten, and all forbled ; and
there he told the king all how it was, and how they were all slain save
himself all only. Jesu mercy, how may this be? said the king; took ye
i52 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
him in the queen's chamber? Yea, so God me help, said Sir Mordred,
there we found him unarmed, and there he slew Colgrevance, and
armed him in his armour ; and all this he told the king from the beginning
to the ending. Jesu mercy, said the king, he is a marvellous knight of
prowess. Alas, me sore repenteth, said the king, that ever Sir Launce-
lot should be against me. Now I am sure the noble fellowship of the
Round Table is broken for ever, for with him will many a noble knight
hold ; and now it is fallen so, said the king, that I may not with my
worship, but the queen must suffer the death. So then there was made
great ordinance in this heat, that the queen must be judged to the death.
And the law was such in those days that whatsomever they were, of
what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason, there should
be none other remedy but death ; and outher the men or the taking
with the deed should be causer of their hasty judgment. And right
so was it ordained for Queen Guenever, because Sir Mordred was
escaped sore wounded, and the death of thirteen knights of the Round
Table. These proofs and experiences caused King Arthur to com-
mand the queen to the fire there to be brent.
Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said : My lord Arthur, I would coun-
sel you not to be over-hasty, but that ye would put it in respite, this
judgment of my lady the queen, for many causes. One it is, though it
were so that Sir Launcelot were found in the queen's chamber, yet it
might be so that he came thither for none evil ; for ye know my lord,
said Sir Gawaine, that the queen is much beholden unto Sir Launcelot,
more than unto any other knight, for ofttimes he hath saved her life,
and done battle for her when all the court re fused the queen ; and per-
adventure she sent for him for goodness and for none evil, to reward
him for his good deeds that he had done to her in times past. And per-
ad venture my lady, the queen, sent for him to that intent that Sir Launce-
lot should come to her good grace privily and secretly, weening to her
that it was best so to do, in eschewing and dreading of slander ; for
ofttimes we do many things that we ween it be for the best, and yet
perad venture it turnethtothe worst. For I dare say, said Sir Gawaine,
my lady, your queen, is to you both good and true ; and as for Sir
Launcelot, said Sir Gawaine, I dare say he will make it good upon any
knight living that will put upon himself villainy or shame, and in like
wise he will make good for my lady, Dame Guenever.
That I believe well, said King Arthur, but I will not that way with
Chap. 8 HOW THE QUEEN WAS RESCUED 153
Sir Launcelot, for he trusteth so much upon his hands and his might
that he doubteth no man ; and therefore for my queen he shall never
fight more, for she shall have the law. And if I may get Sir Launcelot,
wit you well he shall have a shameful death. Jesu defend, said Sir
Gawaine, that I may never see it. Why say ye so? said King Arthur ;
forsooth ye have no cause to love Sir Launcelot, for this night last past
he slew your brother, Sir Agravaine, a full good knight, and almost he
had slain your other brother, Sir Mordred, and also there he slew
thirteen noble knights ; and also, Sir Gawaine, remember ye he slew
two sons of yours, Sir Florence and Sir Level. My lord, said Sir
Gawaine, of all this I have knowledge, of whose deaths I repent me
sore ; but insomuch I gave them warning, and told my brethren and my
sons aforehand what would fall in the end, insomuch they would not
do by my counsel, I will not meddle me thereof, nor revenge me no-
thing of their deaths ; for I told them it was no boot to strive with Sir
Launcelot. Howbeit I am sorry of the death of my brethren and of my
sons, for they are the causers of their own death ; for ofttimes I warned
my brother Sir Agravaine, and I told him the perils the which be now
fallen.
CHAPTER VIII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS KINS-
MEN RESCUED THE QUEEN FROM THE FIRE, AND HOW
HE SLEW MANY KNIGHTS
said the noble King Arthur to Sir Gawaine: Dear
nephew, I pray you make you ready in your best armour,
with your brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring my
queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and receive the
death. Nay, my most noble lord, said Sir Gawaine, that will I never
do ; for wit you well I will never be in that place where so noble a queen
as is my lady, Dame Guenever, shall take a shameful end. Forwityou
well, said Sir Gawaine, my heart will never serve me to see her die ;
and it shall never be said that ever I was of your counsel of her death.
Then said the king to Sir Gawaine : Suffer your brothers Sir Gaheris
and Sir Gareth to be there. My lord, said Sir Gawaine, wit you well
they will be loath to be there present, because of many adventures the
which be like there to fall, but they are young and full unable to say
you nay. Then spake Sir Gaheris, and the good knight Sir Gareth,
unto Sir Arthur : Sir, ye may well command us to be there, but wit you
iv x
154 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
well it shall be sore against our will ; but an we be there by your strait
commandment ye shall plainly hold us there excused : we will be there
in peaceable wise, and bear none harness of war upon us. In the name
of God, said the king, then make you ready, for she shall soon have her
judgment anon. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, that ever I should endure to
see this woful day. So Sir Gawaine turned him and wept heartily, and
so he went into his chamber ; and then the queen was led forth without
Carlisle, and there she was despoiled into her smock. And so then her
ghostly father was brought to her, to be shriven of her misdeeds. Then
was there weeping, and wailing, and wringing of hands, of many lords
and ladies, but there were but few in comparison that would bear any
armour for to strength the death of the queen.
Then was there one that Sir Launcelot had sent unto that place for
to espy what time the queen should go unto her death ; and anon as he
saw the queen despoiled into her smock, and so shriven, then he gave
Sir Launcelot warning. Then was there but spurring and plucking up
of horses, and right so they came to the fire. And who that stood against
them, there were they slain; there might none withstand Sir Launce-
lot, so all that bare arms and withstood them, there were they slain, full
many a noble knight. For there was slain Sir Belliance le Orgulous,
Sir Segwarides, Sir Griflet, Sir Brandiles, Sir Aglovale, Sir Tor ; Sir
Gauter, Sir Gillimer, Sir Reynolds' three brethren ; Sir Damas, Sir
Priamus, Sir Kay the Stranger, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir Her-
minde ; Sir Pertilope, Sir Perimones, two brethren that were called
the Green Knight and the Red Knight. And so in this rushing and
hurling, as Sir Launcelot thrang here and there, it mishapped him to
slay Gaheris and Sir Gareth, the noble knight, for they were unarmed
and unware. For as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot smote Sir
Gareth and Sir Gaheris upon the brain-pans, wherethrough they were
slain in the field ; howbeit in very truth Sir Launcelot saw them not,
and so were they found dead among the thickest of the press.
Then when Sir Launcelot had thus done, and slain and put to flight
all that would withstand him, then he rode straight unto Dame Guen-
ever, and made a kirtle and a gown to be cast upon her; and then he
made her to be set behind him, and prayed her to be of good cheer.
Wit you well the queen was glad that she was escaped from the death.
And then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot ; and so he rode his way
with the queen, as the French book saith, unto Joyous Card, and there
Chap. 9 OF THE SORROW OF KING ARTHUR 155
he kept her as a noble knight should do ; and many great lords and
some kings sent Sir Launcelot many good knights, and many noble
knights drew unto Sir Launcelot. When this was known openly, that
King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at debate, many knights were
glad of their debate, and many were full heavy of their debate.
CHAPTER IX. OF THE SORROW AND LAMENTATION
OF KING ARTHUR FOR THE DEATH OF HIS NEPHEWS
AND OTHER GOOD KNIGHTS, AND ALSO FOR THE
QUEEN, HIS WIFE
jO turn we again unto King Arthur, that when it was told him
how and in what manner of wise the queen was taken away
from the fire, and when he heard of the death of his noble
knights, and in especial of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth's death,
then the king swooned for pure sorrow. And when he awoke of his
swoon, then he said : Alas, that ever I bare crown upon my head ! for
now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever held
Christian king together. Alas, my good knights be slain away from
me : now within these two days I have lost forty knights, and also the
noble fellowship of Sir Launcelot and his blood, for now I may never
hold them together no more with my worship. Alas that ever this war
began. Now fair fellows, said the king, I charge you that no man tell
Sir Gawaine of the death of his two brethren ; for I am sure, said the
king, when Sir Gawaine heareth tell that Sir Gareth is dead he will go
nigh out of his mind. Mercy Jesu, said the king, why slew he Sir
Gareth and Sir Gaheris, for I dare say as for Sir Gareth he loved Sir
Launcelot above all men earthly. That is truth, said some knights, but
they were slain in the hurtling as Sir Launcelot thrang in the thick of
the press; and as they were unarmed he smote them and wist not
whom that he smote, and so unhappily they were slain. The death of
them, said Arthur, will cause the greatest mortal war that ever was ; I
am sure, wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I should never
have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin and himself
both, outher else he to destroy me. And therefore, said the king, wit
you well my heart was never so heavy as it is now, and much more I am
sorrier for my good knights' loss than for the loss of my fair queen ; for
queens I might have enow, but such a fellowship of good knights shall
never be together in no company. And now I dare say, said King
156 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
Arthur, there was never Christian king held such a fellowship together ;
and alas that ever Sir Launcelot and I should be at debate. Ah Agra-
vaine, Agravaine, said the king, Jesu forgive it thy soul, for thine evil
will, that thou and thy brother Sir Mordred hadst unto Sir Launcelot,
hath caused all this sorrow: and ever among these com plaints the king
wept and swooned.
Then there came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the queen
was led away with Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty- four knights
slain. O Jesu defend my brethren, said Sir Gawaine, for full well wist
I that Sir Launcelot would rescue her, outher else he would die in that
field ; and to say the truth he had not been a man of worship had he
not rescued the queen that day, insomuch she should have been brent
for his sake. And as in that, said Sir Gawaine, he hath done but
knightly, and as I would have done myself an I had stood in like case.
But where are my brethren? said Sir Gawaine, I marvel I hear not of
them. Truly, said that man, Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris be slain. Jesu
defend, said Sir Gawaine, for all the world I would not that they were
slain, and in especial my good brother, Sir Gareth. Sir, said the man,
he is slain, and that is great pity. Who slew him? said Sir Gawaine.
Sir, said the man, Launcelot slew them both. That may I not believe,
said Sir Gawaine, that ever he slew my brother, Sir Gareth ; for I dare
say my brother Gareth loved him better than me, and all his brethren,
and the king both. Also I dare say, an Sir Launcelot had desired my
brother, Sir Gareth, with him he would have been with him against the
king and us all, and therefore I may never believe that Sir Launcelot
slew my brother. Sir, said this man, it is noised that he slew him.
CHAPTER X. HOW KING ARTHUR AT THE REQUEST
OF SIR GAWAINE CONCLUDED TO MAKE WAR AGAINST
SIR LAUNCELOT, AND LAID SIEGE TO HIS CASTLE
CALLED JOYOUS CARD
LAS, said Sir Gawaine, now is my joy gone. And then he fell
down and swooned, and long he lay there as he had been
dead. And then, when he arose of his swoon, he cried out
sorrowfully, and said : Alas ! And right so Sir Gawaine ran
to the king, crying and weeping : O King Arthur, mine uncle, my good
brother Sir Gareth is slain, and so is my brother Sir Gaheris, the which
were two noble knights. Then the king wept, and he both ; and so
Chap. 10 OF KING ARTHUR AND GAWAINE 157
they fell a-swooning. And when they were revived then spake Sir
Gawaine : Sir, I will go see my brother, Sir Gareth. Ye may not see
him, said the king, for I caused him to be interred, and Sir Gaheris
both ; for I well understood that ye would make over-much sorrow,
and the sight of Sir Gareth should have caused your double sorrow.
Alas, my lord, said Sir Gawaine, how slew he my brother, Sir Gareth?
Mine own good lord I pray you tell me. Truly, said the king, I shall
tell you how it is told me, Sir Launcelot slew him and Sir Gaheris both.
Alas, said Sir Gawaine, they bare none arms against him, neither of
them both. I wot not how it was, said the king, but as it is said, Sir
Launcelot slew them both in the thickest of the press and knew them
not ; and therefore let us shape a remedy for to revenge their deaths.
My king, my lord, and mine uncle, said Sir Gawaine, wit you well
now I shall make you a promise that I shall hold by my knighthood,
that from this day I shall never fail Sir Launcelot until the one of us
have slain the other. And therefore I require you, my lord and king,
dress you to the war, for wit you well I will be revenged upon Sir
Launcelot ; and therefore, as ye will have my service and my love,
now haste you thereto, and assay your friends. For I promise unto
God, said Sir Gawaine, for the death of my brother, Sir Gareth, I shall
seek Sir Launcelot throughout seven kings' realms, but I shall slay him
or else he shall slay me. Ye shall not need to seek him so far, said the
king, for as I hear say, Sir Launcelot will abide me and you in the
Joyous Card ; and much people draweth unto him, as I hear say. That
may I believe, said Sir Gawaine; but my lord, he said, assay your
friends, and I will assay mine. It shall be done, said the king, and as I
suppose I shall be big enough to draw him out of the biggest tower of
his castle.
So then the king sent letters and writs throughout all England, both
in the length and the breadth, for to assummon all his knights. And so
unto Arthur drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he had a
great host. And when they were assembled, the king informed them
how Sir Launcelot had bereft him his queen. Then the king and all
his host made them ready to lay siege about Sir Launcelot, where he
lay within Joyous Card. Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and purveyed
him of many good knights, for with him held many knights ; and some
for his own sake, and some for the queen's sake. Thus they were on
both parties well furnished and garnished of all manner of thing that
i58 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
longed to the war. But King Arthur's host was so big that Sir Launce-
lot would not abide him in the field, for he was full loath to do battle
against the king ; but Sir Launcelot drew him to his strong castle with
all manner of victual, and as many noble men as he might suffice within
the town and the castle. Then came King Arthur with Sir Gawaine
with an huge host, and laid a siege all about Joyous Card, both at the
town and at the castle, and there they made strong war on both parties.
But in no wise Sir Launcelot would ride out, nor go out of his castle, of
long time ; neither he would none of his good knights to issue out,
neither none of the town nor of the castle, until fifteen weeks were
past.
CHAPTER XI. OF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
KING ARTHUR AND SIR LAUNCELOT, AND HOW KING
ARTHUR REPROVED HIM
it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Launcelot
looked over the walls, and spake on high unto King Arthur
and Sir Gawaine : My lords both, wit ye well all is in vain
that ye make at this siege, for here win ye no worship but
maugre and dishonour; for an it list me to come myself out and my
good knights, I should full soon make an end of this war. Come forth,
said Arthur unto Launcelot, an thou durst, and I promise thee I shall
meet thee in midst of the field. God defend me, said Sir Launcelot,
that ever I should encounter with the most noble king that made me
knight. Fie upon thy fair language, said the king, for wit you well and
trust it, I am thy mortal foe, and ever will to my death day ; for thou
hast slain my good knights, and full noble men of my blood, that I shall
never recover again. Also thou hast lain by my queen, and holden her
many winters, and sithen like a traitor taken her from me by force.
My most noble lord and king, said Sir Launcelot, ye may say what
ye will, for ye wot well with yourself will I not strive ; but thereas ye
say I have slain your good knights, I wot well that I have done so, and
that me sore repenteth ; but I was enforced to do battle with them in
saving of my life, or else I must have suffered them to have slain me.
And as for my lady, Queen Guenever, except your person of your
highness, and my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no knight under heaven
that dare make it good upon me, that ever I was a traitor unto your
person. And where it please you to say that I have holden my lady
Chap. 1 1 HOW ARTHUR REPROVED LAUNCELOT 159
your queen years and winters, unto that I shall ever make a large
answer, and prove it upon any knight that beareth the life, except
your person and Sir Gawaine, that my lady, Queen Guenever, is a
true lady unto your person as any is living unto her lord, and that will
I make good with my hands. Howbeit it hath liked her good grace to
have me in chierte, and to cherish me more than any other knight; and
unto my power I again have deserved her love, for ofttimes, my lord,
ye have consented that she should be brent and destroyed, in your
heat, and then it fortuned me to do battle for her, and or I departed from
her adversary they confessed their untruth, and she full worshipfully
excused. And at such times, my lord Arthur, said Sir Launcelot, ye
loved me, and thanked me when I saved your queen from the fire ; and
then ye promised me for ever to be my good lord; and nowmethinketh
ye reward me full ill for my good service. And my good lord, meseem-
eth I had lost a great part of my worship in my knighthood an I had
suffered my lady, your queen, to have been brent, and insomuch she
should have been brent for my sake. For sithen I have done battles
for your queen in other quarrels than in mine own, meseemeth now I
had more right to do battle for her in right quarrel. And therefore my
good and gracious lord, said Sir Launcelot, take your queen unto your
good grace, for she is both fair, true, and good.
Fie on thee, false recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine ; I let thee wit
my lord, mine uncle, King Arthur, shall have his queen and thee,
maugre thy visage, and slay you both whether it please him. It may
well be, said Sir Launcelot, but wit you well, my lord Sir Gawaine, an
me list to come out of this castle ye should win me and the queen more
harder than ever ye won a strong battle. Fie on thy proud words, said
Sir Gawaine ; as for my lady, the queen, I will never say of her shame.
But thou, false and recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, what cause
hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee more
than all my kin ? Alas thou madest him knight thine own hands ; why
slew thou him that loved thee so well? For to excuse me, said Sir
Launcelot, it helpeth me not, but by Jesu, and by the faith that I owe
to the high order of knighthood, I should with as good will have slain
my nephew, Sir Bors de Ganis, at that time. But alas that ever I was
so unhappy, said Launcelot, that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir
Gaheris.
Thou liest, recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, thou slewest him in
i6o LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
despite of me ; and therefore, wit thou well I shall make war to thee,
and all the while that I may live. That me repenteth, said Sir Launce-
lot ; for well I understand it helpethnot to seek none accordment while
ye, Sir Gawaine, are so mischievously set. And if ye were not, I would
not doubt to have the good grace of my lord Arthur. I believe it well,
false recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine ; for thou hast many long days
overled me and us all, and destroyed many of our good knights. Ye
say as it pleaseth you, said Sir Launcelot ; and yet may it never be
said on me, and openly proved, that ever I by forecast of treason slew
no good knight, as my lord, Sir Gawaine, ye have done ; and so did I
never, but in my defence that I was driven thereto, in saving of my life.
Ah, false knight, said Sir Gawaine, that thou meanest by Sir Lamorak :
wit thou well I slew him. Ye slew him not yourself, said Sir Launcelot ;
it had been overmuch on hand for you to have slain him, for he was
one of the best knights christened of his age, and it was great pity of
his death.
CHAPTER XII. HOW THE COUSINS AND KINSMEN OF
SIR LAUNCELOT EXCITED HIM TO GO OUT TO
BATTLE, AND HOW THEY MADE THEM READY
"ELL, well, said Sir Gawaine to Launcelot, sithen
thou embraidest me of Sir Lamorak, wit thou well I
shall never leave thee till I have thee at such avail
that thou shalt not escape my hands. I trust you well
enough, said Sir Launcelot, an ye may get me I get but little mercy.
But as the French book saith, the noble King Arthur would have taken
his queen again, and have been accorded with Sir Launcelot, but Sir
Gawaine would not suffer him by no manner of mean. And then Sir
Gawaine made many men to blow upon Sir Launcelot ; and all at once
they called him false recreant knight.
Then when Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel,
heard this outcry, they called to them Sir Palomides, Sir Safere's
brother, and Sir Lavaine, with many more of their blood, and all they
went unto Sir Launcelot, and said thus : My lord Sir Launcelot, wit ye
well we have great scorn of the great rebukes that we heard Gawaine
say to you ; wherefore we pray you, and charge you as ye will have
our service, keep us no longer within these walls ; for wit you well
plainly, we will ride into the field and do battle with them ; for ye fare
Chap. 13 HOW GAWAINE SMOTE LIONEL 161
as a man that were afeard, and for all your fair speech it will not avail
you. For wit you well Sir Gawaine will not suffer you to be accorded
with King Arthur, and therefore fight for your life and your right, an
ye dare. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, for to ride out of this castle, and to
do battle, I am full loath.
Then Sir Launcelot spake on high unto Sir Arthur and Sir
Gawaine : My lords, I require you and beseech you, sithen that I am
thus required and conjured to ride into the field, that neither you, my
lord King Arthur, nor you Sir Gawaine, come not into the field. What
shall we do then? said Sir Gawaine, Nis this the king's quarrel with
thee to fight ? and it is my quarrel to fight with thee, Sir Launcelot,
because of the death of my brother Sir Gareth. Then must I needs
unto battle, said Sir Launcelot. Now wit you well, my lord Arthur
and Sir Gawaine, ye will repent it whensomever I do battle with you.
And so then they departed either from other; and then either party
made them ready on the morn for to do battle, and great purveyance
was made on both sides ; and Sir Gawaine let purvey many knights
for to wait upon Sir Launcelot, for to overset him and to slay him. And
on the morn at underne Sir Arthur was ready in the field with three
great hosts. And then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three
gates, in a full good array ; and Sir Lionel came in the foremost battle,
and Sir Launcelot came in the middle, and Sir Bors came out at the
third gate. Thus they came in order and rule, as full noble knights ;
and always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save
King Arthur and Sir Gawaine.
CHAPTER XIII. HOW SIR GAWAINE JOUSTED AND
SMOTE DOWN SIR LIONEL, AND HOW SIR LAUNCE-
LOT HORSED KING ARTHUR
L — - | — ^HEN came forth Sir Gawaine from the king's host, and he
came before and proffered to joust. And Sir Lionel was a
fierce knight, and lightly he encountered with Sir Gawaine ;
and there Sir Gawaine smote Sir Lionel throughout the
body, that he dashed to the earth like as he had been dead ; and then
Sir Ector de Maris and other more bare him into the castle. Then
there began a great stour, and much people was slain ; and ever Sir
Launcelot did what he might to save the people on King Arthur's
party, for Sir Palomides, and Sir Bors, and Sir Safere, overthrew
iv y
162 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
many knights, for they were deadly knights. And Sir Blamore de
Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, with Sir Bellangere le Beuse, these
six knights did much harm ; and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir
Launcelot to have slain him, and Sir Launcelot suffered him, and
would not strike again. So Sir Bors encountered with King Arthur,
and there with a spear Sir Bors smote him down ; and so he alighted
and drew his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot : Shall I make an end of
this war? and that he meant to have slain King Arthur. Not so hardy,
said Sir Launcelot, upon pain of thy head, that thou touch him no
more, for I will never see that most noble king that made me knight
neither slain ne shamed. And therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted off
his horse and took up the king and horsed him again, and said thus :
My lord Arthur, for God's love stint this strife, for ye get here no
worship, and I would do mine utterance, but always I forbear you, and
ye nor none of yours forbeareth me; my lord, remember what I have
done in many places, and now I am evil rewarded.
Then when King Arthur was on horseback, he looked upon Sir
Launcelot, and then the tears brast out of his eyen, thinking on the
great courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than in any other man ;
and therewith the king rode his way, and might no longer behold him,
and said : Alas, that ever this war began. And then either parties of
the battles withdrew them to repose them, and buried the dead, and
to the wounded men they laid soft salves ; and thus they endured that
night till on the morn. And on the morn by underne they made them
ready to do battle. And then Sir Bors led the forward.
So upon the morn there came Sir Gawaine as brim as any boar, with
a great spear in his hand. And when Sir Bors saw him he thought to
revenge his brother Sir Lionel of the despite that Sir Gawaine did
him the other day. And so they that knew either other feutred their
spears, and with all their mights of their horses and themselves, they
met together so felonously that either bare other through, and so they
fell both to the earth ; and then the battles joined, and there was much
slaughter on both parties. Then Sir Launcelot rescued Sir Bors, and
sent him into the castle; but neither Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors died not
of their wounds, for they were all holpen. Then Sir Lavaine and Sir
Urre prayed Sir Launcelot to do his pain, and fight as they had done ;
For we see ye forbear and spare, and that doth much harm ; therefore
we pray you spare not your enemies no more than they do you. Alas,
Chap. 14 HOW THE POPE MADE PEACE 163
said Sir Launcelot, I have no heart to fight against my lord Arthur, for
ever meseemeth I do not as I ought to do. My lord, said Sir Palomides,
though ye spare them all this day they will never con you thank ; and
if they may get you at avail ye are but dead. So then Sir Launcelot
understood that they said him truth; and then he strained himself
more than he did aforehand, and because his nephew Sir Bors was
sore wounded. And then within a little while, by evensong time, Sir
Launcelot and his party better stood, for their horses went in blood
past the fetlocks, there was so much people slain. And then for pity
Sir Launcelot withheld his knights, and suffered King Arthur's party
for to withdrawthem aside. And then Sir Launcelot's party withdrew
them into his castle, and either parties buried the dead, and put salve
unto the wounded men.
So when Sir Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were
not so orgulous as they were toforehand to do battle. Of this war was
noised through all Christendom, and at the last it was noised afore the
Pope ; and he considering the great goodness of King Arthur, and of
Sir Launcelot, that was called the most noblest knights of the world,
wherefore the Pope called unto him a noble clerk that at that time was
there present ; the French book saith, it was the Bishop of Rochester ;
and the Pope gave him bulls under lead unto King Arthur of England,
charging him upon pain of interdicting of all England, that he take
his queen Dame Guenever unto him again, and accord with Sir
Launcelot.
CHAPTER XIV. HOW THE POPE SENT DOWN HIS BULLS
TO MAKE PEACE, AND HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BROUGHT
THE QUEEN TO KING ARTHUR
jO when this Bishop was come to Carlisle he shewed the king
these bulls. And when the king understood these bulls he nist
what to do : full fain he would have been accorded with Sir
Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him ; but as for to
have the queen, thereto he agreed. But in nowise Sir Gawaine would
not suffer the king to accord with Sir Launcelot ; but as for the queen
he consented. And then the Bishop had of the king his great seal, and
his assurance as he was a true anointed king that Sir Launcelot should
come safe, and go safe, and that the queen should not be spoken unto
of the king, nor of none other, for no thing done afore time past ; and
164 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
of all these appointments the Bishop brought with him sure assurance
and writing, to shew Sir Launcelot.
So when the Bishop was come to Joyous Gard, there he shewed Sir
Launcelot how the Pope had written to Arthur and unto him, and there
he told him the perils if he withheld the queen from the king. It was
never in my thought, said Launcelot, to withhold the queen from my
lord Arthur; but, insomuch she should have been dead for my sake,
meseemeth it was my part to save her life, and put her from that
danger, till better recover might come. And now I thank God, said Sir
Launcelot, that the Pope hath made her peace ; for God knoweth, said
Sir Launcelot, I will be a thousand fold more gladder to bring her again,
than ever I was of her taking away ; with this, I may be sure to come
safe and go safe, and that the queen shall have her liberty as she had
before ; and never for nothing that hath been surmised afore this time,
she never from this day stand in no peril. For else, said Sir Launcelot,
I dare adventure me to keep her from an harder shour than ever I kept
her. It shall not need you, said the Bishop, to dread so much ; for wit
you well, the Pope must be obeyed, and it were not the Pope's worship
nor my poor honesty to wit you distressed, neither the queen, neither
in peril, nor shamed. And then he shewed Sir Launcelot all his writ-
ing, both from the Pope and from King Arthur. This is sure enough,
said Sir Launcelot, for full well I dare trust my lord's own writing and
his seal, for he was never shamed of his promise. Therefore, said Sir
Launcelot unto the Bishop, ye shall ride unto the king afore, and
recommend me unto his good grace, and let him have knowledging
that this same day eight days, by the grace of God, I myself shall bring
my lady, Queen Guenever, unto him. And then say ye unto my most
redoubted king, that I will say largely for the queen, that I shall none
except for dread nor fear, but the king himself, and my lord Sir Gawaine;
and that is more for the king's love than for himself.
So the Bishop departed and came to the king at Carlisle, and told
him all how Sir Launcelot answered him ; and then the tears brast out
of the king's eyen. Then Sir Launcelot purveyed him an hundred
knights, and all were clothed in green velvet, and their horses trapped
to their heels ; and every knight held a branch of olive in his hand, in
tokening of peace. And the queen had four-and -twenty gentlewomen
following her in the same wise; and Sir Launcelot had twelve coursers
following him, and on every courser sat a young gentleman, and all
Chap. 15 OF THE QUEEN'S DELIVERANCE 165
they were arrayed in green velvet, with sarps of gold about their
quarters, and the horse trapped in the same wise down to the heels,
with many ouches, y-set with stones and pearls in gold, to the number
of a thousand. And she and Sir Launcelot were clothed in white cloth
of gold tissue ; and right so as ye have heard, as the French book
maketh mention, he rode with the queen from Joyous Card to Carlisle.
And so Sir Launcelot rode throughout Carlisle, and so in the castle,
that all men might behold ; and wit you well there was many a weep-
ing eye. And then Sir Launcelot himself alighted and avoided his
horse, and took the queen, and so led her where King Arthur was in
his seat : and Sir Gawaine sat afore him, and many other great lords.
So when Sir Launcelot saw the king and Sir Gawaine, then he led the
queen by the arm, and then he kneeled down, and the queen both.
Wit you well then was there many bold knight there with King
Arthur that wept as tenderly as though they had seen all their kin
afore them. So the king sat still, and said no word. And when Sir
Launcelot saw his countenance, he arose and pulled up the queen with
him, and thus he spake full knightly.
CHAPTER XV. OF THE DELIVERANCE OF THE QUEEN
TO THE KING BY SIR LAUNCELOT, AND WHAT LAN-
GUAGE SIR GAWAINE HAD TO SIR LAUNCELOT
^V\ AT' Y most redoubted king, ye shall understand, by the Pope's
//\\ l\ \ commandrnent an^ yours, I have brought to you my lady
// \ I \ \ t^e queen» as right require th ; and if there be any knight,
_«/l V -J ^ of whatsomever degree that he be, except your person,
that will say or dare say but that she is true and clean to you, I here
myself, Sir Launcelot du Lake, will make it good upon his body, that
she is a true lady unto you; but liars ye have listened, and that hath
caused debate betwixt you and me. For time hath been, my lord
Arthur, that ye have been greatly pleased with me when I did battle
for my lady, your queen ; and full well ye know, my most noble king,
that she hath been put to great wrong or this time; and sithen it pleased
you at many times that I should fight for her, meseemeth, my good lord,
I had more cause to rescue her from the fire, insomuch she should have
been brent for my sake. For they that told you those tales were liars,
and so it fell upon them ; for by likelihood had not the might of God
been with me, I might never have endured fourteen knights, and they
166 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
armed and afore purposed, and I unarmed and not purposed. For I
was sent for unto my lady your queen, I wot not for what cause ; but I
was not so soon within the chamber door, but anon Sir Agravaine and
Sir Mordred called me traitor and recreant knight. They called thee
right, said Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, in
their quarrel they proved themselves not in the right. Well well, Sir
Launcelot, said the king, I have given thee no cause to do to me asthou
hast done, for I have worshipped thee and thine more than any of all
my knights.
My good lord, said Sir Launcelot, so ye be not displeased, ye shall
understand I and mine have done you oft better service than any other
knights have done, in many divers places ; and where ye have been
full hard bestead divers times, I have myself rescued you from many
dangers ; and ever unto my power I was glad to please you, and my
lord Sir Gawaine ; both in jousts, and tournaments, and in battles set,
both on horseback and on foot, I have often rescued you, and my lord
Sir Gawaine, and many mo of your knights in many divers places. For
now I will make avaunt, said Sir Launcelot, I will that ye all wit that
yet I found never no manner of knight but that I was overhard for him,
an I had done my utterance, thanked be God ; howbeit I have been
matched with good knights, as Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak, but ever
I had a favour unto them and a deeming what they were. And I take
God to record, said Sir Launcelot, I never was wroth nor greatly heavy
with no good knight an I saw him busy about to win worship ; and glad
I was ever when I found any knight that might endure me on horse-
back and on foot : howbeit Sir Carados of the Dolorous Tower was a
full noble knight and a passing strong man, and that wot ye, my lord
Sir Gawaine ; for he might well be called a noble knight when he by
fine force pulled you out of your saddle, and bound you overthwart
afore him to his saddle bow; and there, my lord Sir Gawaine, I rescued
you, and slew him afore your sight. Also I found his brother, Sir
Turquin, in likewise leading Sir Gaheris, your brother, bounden afore
him ; and there I rescued your brother and slew that Turquin, and
delivered three- score-and- four of my lord Arthur's knights out of his
prison. And now I dare say, said Sir Launcelot, I met never with so
strong knights, nor so well fighting, as was Sir Carados and Sir Turquin,
for I fought with them to the uttermost. And therefore, said Sir Launce-
lot unto Sir Gawaine, meseemeth ye ought of right to remember this ;
Chap. 16 OF GAWAINE AND LAUNCELOT 167
for, an I might have your good will, I would trust to God to have my
lord Arthur's good grace.
CHAPTER XVI. OF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
SIR GAWAINE AND SIR LAUNCELOT, WITH MUCH OTHER
LANGUAGE
L — - | — ^HE king may do as he will, said Sir Gawaine, but wit thou
well, Sir Launcelot, thou and I shall never be accorded
while we live, for thou hast slain three of my brethren ; and
two of them ye slew traitorly and piteously, for they bare
none harness against thee, nor none would bear. God would they had
been armed, said Sir Launcelot, for then had they been alive. And
wit ye well Sir Gawaine, as for Sir Gareth, I love none of my kinsmen
so much as I did him ; and ever while I live, said Sir Launcelot, I will
bewail Sir Gareth's death, not all only for the great fear I have of you,
but many causes cause me to be sorrowful. One is, for I made him
knight ; another is, I wot well he loved me above all other knights ; and
the third is, he was passing noble, true, courteous, and gentle, and well
conditioned ; the fourth is, I wist well, anon as I heard that Sir Gareth
was dead, I should never after have your love, but everlasting war
betwixt us; and also I wist well that ye would cause my noble lord
Arthur for ever to be my mortal foe. And as Jesu be my help, said Sir
Launcelot, I slew never Sir Gareth nor Sir Gaheris by my will ; but
alas that ever they were unarmed that unhappy day. But thus much
I shall offer me, said Sir Launcelot, if it may please the king's good
grace, and you, my lord Sir Gawaine, I shall first begin at Sandwich,
and there I shall go in my shirt, barefoot ; and at every ten miles' end
I will found and gar make an house of religion, of what order that ye
will assign me, with an whole convent, to sing and read, day and night,
in especial for Sir Gareth's sake and Sir Gaheris. And this shall I per-
form from Sandwich unto Carlisle ; and every house shall have suffi-
cient livelihood. And this shall I perform while I have any livelihood
in Christendom; and there nis none of all these religious places, but
they shall be performed, furnished and garnished in all things as an
holy place ought to be, I promise you faithfully. And this, Sir Gawaine,
methinketh were more fairer, holier, and more better to their souls,
than ye, my most noble king, and you, Sir Gawaine, to war upon me,
for thereby shall ye get none avail.
i68 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
Then all knights and ladies that were there wept as they were mad,
and the tears fell on King Arthur's cheeks. Sir Launcelot, said Sir
Gawaine, I have right well heard thy speech, and thy great proffers,
but wit thou well, let the king do as it pleased him, I will never forgive
my brothers' death, and in especial the death of my brother, Sir
Gareth. And if mine uncle, King Arthur, will accord with thee, he
shall lose my service, for wit thou well thou art both false to the king
and to me. Sir, said Launcelot, he beareth not the life that may make
that good ; and if ye, Sir Gawaine, will charge me with so high a thing,
ye must pardon me, for then needs must I answer you. Nay, said Sir
Gawaine, we are past that at this time, and that caused the Pope, for
he hath charged mine uncle, the king, that he shall take his queen
again, and to accord with thee, Sir Launcelot, as for this season, and
therefore thou shalt go safe as thou earnest. But in this land thou shalt
not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give thee : so the king and
we were consented and accorded or thou earnest. And else, said Sir
Gawaine, wit thou well thou shouldst not have come here, but if it
were maugre thy head. And if it were not for the Pope's command-
ment, said Sir Gawaine, I should do battle with mine own body against
thy body, and prove it upon thee, that thou hast been both false unto
mine uncle King Arthur, and to me both; and that shall I prove
upon thy body, when thou art departed from hence, wheresomever
I find thee.
CHAPTER XVII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED
FROM THE KING AND FROM JOYOUS CARD OVER SEA-
WARD, AND WHAT KNIGHTS WENT WITH HIM
Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on
his cheeks, and then he said thus : Alas, most noble Christian
realm, whom I have loved above all other realms, and in thee
I have gotten a great part of my worship, and now I shall
depart in this wise. Truly me repenteth that ever I came in this realm,
that should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved and causeless;
but fortune is so variant, and the wheel so moveable, there nis none
constant abiding, and that may be proved by many old chronicles, of
noble Ector, and Troilus, and Alisander, the mighty conqueror, and
many mo other ; when they were most in their royalty, they alighted
lowest. And so fareth it by me, said Sir Launcelot, for in this realm I
Chap. 17 HOW LAUNCELOT DEPARTED 169
had worship, and by me and mine all the whole Round Table hath
been increased more in worship, by me and mine blood, than by any
other. And therefore wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I may live upon my
lands as well as any knight that here is. And if ye, most redoubted
king, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine to war upon me, I
must endure you as well as I may. But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that
ye come there, I pray you charge me not with treason nor felony, for
an ye do, I must answer you. Do thou thy best, said Sir Gawaine ;
therefore hie thee fast that thou were gone, and wit thou well we shall
soon come after, and break the strongest castle that thou hast, upon
thy head. That shall not need, said Sir Launcelot, for an I were as
orgulous set as ye are, wit you well I should meet you in midst of the
field. Make thou no more language, said Sir Gawaine, but deliver the
queen from thee, and pike thee lightly out of this court. Well, said Sir
Launcelot, an I had wist of this short coming, I would have advised me
twice or that I had come hither ; for an the queen had been so dear to
me as ye noise her, I durst have kept her from the fellowship of the
best knights under heaven.
And then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in hearing of the king
and them all : Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble
fellowship for ever ; and sithen it is so, I beseech you to pray for me,
and say me well ; and if ye be hard bestead by any false tongues,
lightly my lady send me word, and if any knight's hands may deliver
you by battle, I shall deliver you. And therewithal Sir Launcelot
kissed the queen ; and then he said all openly : Now let see what he
be in this place that dare say the queen is not true unto my lord
Arthur, let see who will speak an he dare speak. And therewith he
brought the queen to the king, and then Sir Launcelot took his leave
and departed ; and there was neither king, duke, nor earl, baron nor
knight, lady nor gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out of their
mind, except Sir Gawaine. And when the noble Sir Launcelot took
his horse to ride out of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping for
pure dole of his departing; and so he took his way unto Joyous Card.
And then ever after he called it the Dolorous Card. And thus departed
Sir Launcelot from the court for ever.
And so when he came to Joyous Card he called his fellowship unto
him, and asked them what they would do. Then they answered all
wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do. My fair
iv z
170 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I must depart out of this most noble realm,
and now I shall depart it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no
worship, for a flemed man departed never out of a realm with no
worship; and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear after my days that
men shall chronicle upon me that I was flemed out of this land ; and
else, my fair lords, be ye sure, an I had not dread shame, my lady,
Queen Guenever, and I should never have departed.
Then spake many noble knights, as Sir Palomides, Sir Safere his
brother, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse, and Sir Urre, with Sir Lavaine,
with many others : Sir, an ye be so disposed to abide in this land we
will never fail you ; and if ye list not to abide in this land there nis none
of the good knights that here be will fail you, for many causes. One is,
all we that be not of your blood shall never be welcome to the court.
And sithen it liked us to take a part with you in your distress and
heaviness in this realm, wit you well it shall like us as well to go in
other countries with you, and there to take such part as ye do. My
fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, I well understand you, and as I can,
thank you : and ye shall understand, such livelihood as I am born unto
I shall depart with you in this manner of wise ; that is for to say, I shall
depart all my livelihood and all my lands freely among you, and I
myself will have as little as any of you, for have I sufficient that may
long to my person, I will ask none other rich array ; and I trust to God
to maintain you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any
knights. Then spake all the knights at once : He have shame that will
leave you ; for we all understand in this realm will be now no quiet,
but ever strife and debate, now the fellowship of the Round Table is
broken ; for by the noble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthur
upborne, and by their noblesse the king and all his realm was in quiet
and rest, and a great part they said all was because of your noblesse.
CHAPTER XVIII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT PASSED OVER
THE SEA, AND HOW HE MADE GREAT LORDS OF THE
KNIGHTS THAT WENT WITH HIM
^^RULY, said Sir Launcelot, I thank you all of your good
saying ; howbeit, I wot well, in me was not all the stability of
this realm, but in that I might I did my devoir ; and well I am
sure I knew many rebellions in my days that by me were
peaced, and I trow we all shall hear of them in short space, and that
Chap, is HOW HE MADE HIS KNIGHTS LORDS 171
me sore repenteth. For ever I dread me, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir
Mordred will make trouble, for he is passing envious and applieth him
to trouble. So they were accorded to go with Sir Launcelot to his
lands ; and to make short tale, they trussed, and paid all that would
ask them; and wholly an hundred knights departed with Sir Launce-
lot at once, and made their avows they would never leave him for weal
nor for woe.
And so they shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick : some men
call it Bayonne, and some men call it Beaune, where the wine of Beaune
is. But to say the sooth, Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords of
all France, and of all the lands that longed unto France ; he and his
kindred rejoiced it all through Sir Launcelot's noble prowess. And
then Sir Launcelot stuffed and furnished and garnished all his noble
towns and castles. Then all the people of those lands came to Sir
Launcelot on foot and hands. And so when he had stablished all these
countries, he shortly called a parliament ; and there he crowned Sir
Lionel, King of France ; and Sir Bors he crowned him king of all
King Claudas* lands ; and SirEctor de Maris, that was Sir Launcelot's
youngest brother, he crowned him King of Benwick, and king of all
Guienne, that was Sir Launcelot's own land. And he made Sir Ector
prince of them all, and thus he departed.
Then Sir Launcelot advanced all his noble knights, and first he
advanced them of his blood ; that was SirBlamore, he made him Duke
of Limosin in Guienne, and Sir Bleoberis he made him Duke of Poic-
tiers, and Sir Gahalantine he made him Duke of Querne, and Sir
Galihodin he made him Duke of Sentonge, and Sir Galihud he made
him Earl of Perigot, and Sir Menadeuke he made him Earl of Roerge,
and Sir Villiars the Valiant he made him Earl of Beam, and Sir Hebes
le Renoumes he made him Earl of Comange, and SirLavaine he made
him Earl of Arminak, and Sir Urre he made him Earl of Estrake, and
Sir Neroneus he made him Earl of Pardiak, and Sir Plenorius he
made Earl of Foise, and Sir Selises of the Dolorous Tower he made
him Earl of Masauke, and Sir Melias de Lile he made him Earl of
Tursauk, and Sir Bellangere le Beuse he made Earl of the Launds,
and Sir Palomides he made him Duke of the Provence, and Sir Safere
he made him Duke of Landok, and Sir Clegis he gave him the Earl-
dom of Agente, and Sir Sadok he gave the Earldom of Surlat, and
Sir Dinas le Seneschal he made him Duke of Anjou, and Sir Clarrus
172 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
he made him Duke of Normandy. Thus Sir Launcelot rewarded his
noble knights and many more, that meseemeth it were too long to
rehearse.
CHAPTER XIX. HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE
MADE A GREAT HOST READY TO GO OVER SEA TO
MAKE WAR ON SIR LAUNCELOT
JO leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights
with him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir
Gawaine, that made a great host ready, to the number of three-
score thousand ; and all thing was made ready for their ship-
ping to pass over the sea, and so they shipped at Cardiff. And there
King Arthur made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all England, and also he
put Queen Guenever under his governance; because Sir Mordred
was King Arthur's son, he gave him the rule of his land and of his
wife ; and so the king passed the sea and landed upon Sir Launcelot's
lands, and there he brent and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir
Gawaine, all that they might overrun.
When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that King Arthur and Sir
Gawaine were landed upon his lands, and made a full great destruc-
tion and waste, then spake Sir Bors, and said : My lord Sir Launcelot,
it is shame that we suffer them thus to ride over our lands, for wit you
well, suffer ye them as long as ye will, they will do you no favour an
they may handle you. Then said Sir Lionel that was wary and wise :
My lord Sir Launcelot, I will give this counsel, let us keep our strong
walled towns until they have hunger and cold, and blow on their nails ;
and then let us freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep
in a field, that aliens may take example for ever how they land upon
our lands.
Then spake King Bagdemagus to Sir Launcelot : Sir, your courtesy
will shende us all, and thy courtesy hath waked all this sorrow; for an
they thus over our lands ride, they shall by process bring us all to
nought whilst we thus in holes us hide. Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir
Launcelot : Sir, here be knights come of kings' blood, that will not long
droop, and they are within these walls ; therefore give us leave, like
as we be knights, to meet them in the field, and we shall slay them,
that they shall curse the time that ever they came into this country.
Chap. 19 ARTHUR MAKES WAR ON LAUNCELOT 173
Then spake seven brethren of North Wales, and they were seven
noble knights ; a man might seek in seven kings' lands or he might find
such seven knights. Then they all said at once : Sir Launcelot, for
Christ's sake let us out ride with Sir Galihud, for we be never wont to
cower in castles nor in noble towns.
Then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master and governor of them
all : My fair lords, wit you well I am full loath to ride out with my
knights for shedding of Christian blood ; and yet my lands I under-
stand be full bare for to sustain any host awhile, for the mighty wars
that whilom made King Claudas upon this country, upon my father
King Ban, and on mine uncle King Bors ; howbeit we will as at this
time keep our strong walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my
lord Arthur, a treaty for to take; for better is peace than always
war.
So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damosel and a dwarf with her, requir-
ing King Arthur to leave his warring upon his lands ; and so she start
upon a palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side. And when she came
to the pavilion of King Arthur, there she alighted ; and there met her
a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the Butler, and said: Fair damosel, come ye
from Sir Launcelot du Lake? Yea sir, she said, therefore I come
hither to speak with my lord the king. Alas, said Sir Lucan, my lord
Arthur would love Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him.
And then he said : I pray to God, damosel, ye may speed well, for all
we that be about the king would Sir Launcelot did best of any knight
living. And so with this Lucan led the damosel unto the king where he
sat with Sir Gawaine, for to hear what she would say. So when she
had told her tale, the water ran out of the king's eyen, and all the lords
were full glad for to advise the king as to be accorded with Sir
Launcelot, save all only Sir Gawaine, and he said: My lord mine
uncle, what will ye do? Will ye now turn again, now ye are passed
thus far upon this journey? all the world will speak of your villainy.
Nay, said Arthur, wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I will do as ye will
advise me ; and yet meseemeth, said Arthur, his fair proffers were not
good to be refused ; but sithen I am come so far upon this journey, I will
that ye give the damosel her answer, for I may not speak to her for
pity, for her proffers be so large.
174 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
CHAPTER XX. WHAT MESSAGE SIR GAWAINE SENT TO
SIR LAUNCELOT; AND HOW KING ARTHUR LAID SIEGE
TO BENWICK, AND OTHER MATTERS
P- — I 1 — xjHEN Sir Gawaine said to the damosel thus: Damosel, say
ye to Sir Launcelot that it is waste labour now to sue to mine
uncle ; for tell him, an he would have made any labour for
peace, he should have made it or this time, for tell him now
it is too late; and say that I, Sir Gawaine, so send him word, that I
promise him by the faith I owe unto God and to knighthood, I shall
never leave him till he have slain me or I him. So the damosel wept
and departed, and there were many weeping eyen ; and so Sir Lucan
brought the damosel to her palfrey, and so she came to Sir Launcelot
where he was among all his knights. And when Sir Launcelot had
heard this answer, then the tears ran down by his cheeks. And then
his noble knights strode about him, and said : Sir Launcelot, wherefore
make ye such cheer, think what ye are, and what men we are, and let
us noble knights match them in midst of the field. That may be lightly
done, said Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loath to do battle, and
therefore I pray you, fair sirs, as ye love me, be ruled as I will have
you, for I will always flee that noble king that made me knight. And
when I may no further, I must needs defend me, and that will be more
worship for me and us all than to compare with that noble king whom
we have all served. Then they held their language, and as that night
they took their rest.
And upon the morn early, in the dawning of the day, as knights
looked out, they saw the city of Benwick besieged round about;
and fast they began to set up ladders, and then they defied them out
of the town, and beat them from the walls wightly. Then came forth
Sir Gawaine well armed upon a stiff steed, and he came before the
chief gate, with his spear in his hand, crying: Sir Launcelot, where art
thou? is there none of you proud knights dare break a spear with me?
Then Sir Bors made him ready, and came forth out of the town, and
there Sir Gawaine encountered with Sir Bors. And at that time he
smote Sir Bors down from his horse, and almost he had slain him ; and
so Sir Bors was rescued and borne into the town. Then came forth Sir
Lionel, brother to Sir Bors, and thought to revenge him ; and either
feutred their spears, and ran together ; and there they met spitefully,
Chap. 20 ARTHUR LAYS SIEGE TO BENWICK 173
but Sir Gawaine had such grace that he smote Sir Lionel down, and
wounded him there passing sore; and then Sir Lionel was rescued and
borne into the town. And this Sir Gawaine came every day, and he
failed not but that he smote down one knight or other.
So thus they endured half a year, and much slaughter was of people
on both parties. Then it befell upon a day, Sir Gawaine came afore the
gates armed at all pieces on a noble horse, with a great spear in his
hand ; and then he cried with a loud voice : Where art thou now, thou
false traitor, Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself within holes and
walls like a coward ? Look out now, thou false traitor knight, and here
I shall revenge upon thy body the death of my three brethren. All this
language heard Sir Launcelot every deal; and his kin and his knights
drew about him, and all they said at once to Sir Launcelot : Sir Launce-
lot, now must ye defend you like a knight, or else ye be shamed for
ever ; for, now ye be called upon treason, it is time for you to stir, for
ye have slept over-long and suffered over-much. So God me help, said
Sir Launcelot, I am right heavy of Sir Gawaine's words, for now he
charged me with a great charge; and therefore I wot it as well as ye, that
I must defend me, or else to be recreant.
Then Sir Launcelot bade saddle his strongest horse, and bade let
fetch his arms, and bring all unto the gate of the tower ; and then Sir
Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said : My lord Arthur,
and noble king that made me knight, wit you well I am right heavy for
your sake, that ye thus sue upon me; and always I forbare you, for an
I would have been vengeable, I might have met you in midst of the
field, and there to have made your boldest knights full tame. And now
I have forborne half a year, and suffered you and Sir Gawaine to do
what ye would do ; and now may I endure it no longer, for now must I
needs defend myself, insomuch Sir Gawaine hath appealed me of
treason ; the which is greatly against my will that ever I should fight
against any of your blood, but now I may not forsake it, I am driven
thereto as a beast till a bay.
Then Sir Gawaine said : Sir Launcelot, an thou durst do battle,
leave thy babbling and come off, and let us ease our hearts. Then Sir
Launcelot armed him lightly, and mounted upon his horse, and either
of the knights gat great spears in their hands, and the host without
stood still all apart, and the noble knights came out of the city by a
great number, insomuch that when Arthur saw the number of men and
176 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
knights, he marvelled, and said to himself: Alas, that ever Sir Launce-
lot was against me, for now I see he hath forborne me. And so the
covenant was made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal with
them, till the one were dead or yelden.
CHAPTER XXI. HOWSIRLAUNCELOT AND SIRGAWAINE
DID BATTLE TOGETHER, AND HOW SIR GAWAINE WAS
OVERTHROWN AND HURT
P- — I I — ^HEN Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way
asunder, and then they came together with all their horses'
might as they might run, and either smote other in midst of
their shields; but the knights were so strong, and their
spears so big, that their horses might not endure their buffets, and so
their horses fell to the earth ; and then they avoided their horses, and
dressed their shields afore them. Then they stood together and gave
many sad strokes on divers places of their bodies, that the blood brast
out on many sides and places. Then had Sir Gawaine such a grace
and gift that an holy man had given to him, that every day in the year,
from underne till high noon, his might increased those three hours as
much as thrice his strength, and that caused Sir Gawaine to win great
honour. And for his sake King Arthur made an ordinance, that all
manner of battles for any quarrels that should be done afore King
Arthur should begin at underne; and all was done for Sir Gawaine's
love, that by likelihood, if Sir Gawaine were on the one part, he should
have the better in battle while his strength endureth three hours ; but
there were but few knights that time living that knew this advantage
that Sir Gawaine had, but King Arthur all only.
Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and when Sir Launce-
lot felt his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot wondered and
dread him sore to be shamed. For as the French book saith, Sir
Launcelot weened, when he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that
he had been a fiend and none earthly man ; wherefore Sir Launcelot
traced and traversed, and covered himself with his shield, and kept
his might and his braide during three hours; and that while Sir
Gawaine gave him many sad brunts, and many sad strokes, that all
the knights that beheld Sir Launcelot marvelled how that he might
endure him; but full little understood they that travail that Sir Launce-
lot had for to endure him. And then when it was past noon Sir Gawaine
Chap. 22 OF THE SORROW OF KING ARTHUR 177
had no more but his own might. When Sir Launcelot felt him so come
down, then he stretched him up and stood near Sir Gawaine, and said
thus : My lord Sir Gawaine, now I feel ye have done ; now my lord Sir
Gawaine, I must do my part, for many great and grievous strokes I
have endured you this day with great pain.
Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes and gave Sir Gawaine such
a buffet on the helmet that he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot
withdrew him from him. Why withdrawest thou thee? said Sir
Gawaine; now turn again, false traitor knight, and slay me, for an
thou leave me thus, when I am whole I shall do battle with thee again.
I shall endure you, Sir, by God's grace, but wit thou well, Sir Gawaine,
I will never smite a felled knight. And so Sir Laurrcelot went into the
city; and Sir Gawaine was borne into King Arthur's pavilion, and
leeches were brought to him, and searched and salved with soft oint-
ments. And then Sir Launcelot said : Now have good day, my lord
the king, for wit you well ye win no worship at these walls ; and if I
would my knights outbring, there should many a man die. Therefore,
my lord Arthur, remember you of old kindness ; and however I fare,
Jesu be your guide in all places.
CHAPTER XXII. OF THE SORROW THAT KING ARTHUR
MADE FOR THE WAR, AND OF ANOTHER BATTLE
WHERE ALSO SIR GAWAINE HAD THE WORSE
LAS, said the king, that ever this unhappy war was begun ; for
ever Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, and in like-
wise my kin, and that is seen well this day by my nephew
Sir Gawaine. Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir
Gawaine, that he was so sore hurt, and because of the war betwixt
him and Sir Launcelot. So then they on King Arthur's part kept the
siege with little war withoutforth ; and they withinforth kept their
walls, and defended them when need was. Thus Sir Gawaine lay sick
three weeks in his tents, with all manner of leechcraft that might be
had. And as soon as Sir Gawaine might go and ride, he armed him at
all points, and start upon a courser, and gat a spear in his hand, and so
he came riding afore the chief gate of Benwick ; and there he cried on
height: Where art thou, Sir Launcelot? Come forth, thou false traitor
knight and recreant, for I am here, Sir Gawaine, will prove this that I
say on thee.
iv a a
178 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XX
All this language Sir Launcelot heard, and then he said thus : Sir
Gawaine, me repents of your foul saying, that ye will not cease of your
language ; for you wot well, Sir Gawaine, I know your might and all
that ye may do; and well ye wot, Sir Gawaine, ye may not greatly
hurt me. Come down, traitor knight, said he, and make it good the
contrary with thy hands, for it mishapped me the last battle to be hurt
of thy hands ; therefore wit thou well I am come this day to make
amends, for I ween this day to lay thee as low as thou laidest me. Jesu
defend me, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I be so far in your danger as
ye have been in mine, for then my days were done. But Sir Gawaine,
said Sir Launcelot, ye shall not think that I tarry long, but sithen that
ye so unknightly call me of treason, ye shall have both your hands full
of me. And then Sir Launcelot armed him at all points, and mounted
upon his horse, and gat a great spear in his hand, and rode out at the
gate. And both the hosts were assembled, of them without and of them
within, and stood in array full manly. And both parties were charged
to hold them still, to see and behold the battle of these two noble
knights. And then they laid their spears in their rests, and they came
together as thunder, and Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir
Launcelot in a hundred pieces unto his hand ; and Sir Launcelot smote
him with a greater might, that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and
so the horse and he fell to the earth. Then Sir Gawaine deliverly
avoided his horse, and put his shield afore him, and eagerly drew his
sword, and bade Sir Launcelot ; Alight, traitor knight, for if this mare's
son hath failed me, wit thou well a king's son and a queen's son shall
not fail thee.
Then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and dressed his shield afore
him, and drew his sword ; and so stood they together and gave many
sad strokes, that all men on both parties had thereof passing great
wonder. But when Sir Launcelot felt Sir Gawaine's might so mar-
vellously increase, he then withheld his courage and his wind, and
kept himself wonder covert of his might; and under his shield he
traced and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine's strokes
and his courage; and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with all his might
and power to destroy Sir Launcelot ; for as the French book saith, ever
as Sir Gawaine's might increased, right so increased his wind and his
evil will. Thus Sir Gawaine did great pain unto Sir Launcelot three
hours, that he had right great pain for to defend him.
Chap. 22 GAWAINE HAS THE WORSE AGAIN 179
And when the three hours were passed, that Sir Launcelot felt that
Sir Gawaine was come to his own proper strength, then Sir Launcelot
said unto Sir Gawaine : Now have I proved you twice, that ye are a
full dangerous knight, and a wonderful man of your might ; and many
wonderful deeds have ye done in your days, for by your might
increasing you have deceived many a full noble and valiant knight;
and, now I feel that ye have done your mighty deeds, now wit you well
I must do my deeds. And then Sir Launcelot stood near Sir Gawaine,
and then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes ; and Sir Gawaine defended
him mightily, but nevertheless Sir Launcelot smote such a stroke upon
Sir Gawaine's helm, and upon the old wound, that Sir Gawaine sinked
down upon his one side in a swoon. And anon as he did awake he
waved and foined at Sir Launcelot as he lay, and said : Traitor knight,
wit thou well I am not yet slain, come thou near me and perform this
battle unto the uttermost. I will no more do than I have done, said Sir
Launcelot, for when I see you on foot I will do battle upon you all the
while I see you stand on your feet ; but for to smite a wounded man
that may not stand, God defend me from such a shame. And then he
turned him and went his way toward the city. And Sir Gawaine ever-
more calling him traitor knight, and said : Wit thou well Sir Launce-
lot, when I am whole I shall do battle with thee again, for I shall never
leave thee till that one of us be slain. Thus as this siege endured, and
as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month; and when he was well recovered
and ready within three days to do battle again with Sir Launcelot,
right so came tidings unto Arthur from England that made King Arthur
and all his host to remove.
HERE FOLLOWETH THE XXI BOOK
BOOK XXI
CHAPTER I. HOW SIR MORDRED PRESUMED AND TOOK
ON HIM TO BE KING OF ENGLAND, AND WOULD HAVE
MARRIED THE QUEEN, HIS FATHER'S WIFE
Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did do make letters
as though that they came from beyond the sea, and the
letters specified that King Arthur was slain in battle with
Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a parlia-
ment, and called the lords together, and there he made them to choose
him king ; and so was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast
there fifteen days ; and afterward he drew him unto Winchester, and
there he took the Queen Guenever, and said plainly that he would wed
her which was his uncle's wife and his father's wife. And so he made
ready for the feast, and a day prefixed that they should be wedded ;
wherefore Queen Guenever was passing heavy. But she durst not
discover her heart, but spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's will.
Then she desired of Sir Mordred for to go to London, to buy all
manner of things that longed unto the wedding. And because of her
fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her leave
to go. And so when she came to London she took the Tower of Lon-
don, and suddenly in all haste possible she stuffed it with all manner
of victual, and well garnished it with men, and so kept it.
Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood how he was beguiled,
he was passing wroth out of measure. And a short tale for to make, he
went and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and made
many great assaults thereat, and threw many great engines unto them,
and shot great guns. But all might not prevail Sir Mordred, for Queen
Guenever would never for fair speech nor for foul, would never trust
to come in his hands again.
Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the which was a noble clerk
and an holy man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred : Sir, what will ye
do? will ye first displease God and sithen shame yourself, and all
knighthood? Is not King Arthur your uncle, no farther but your
Chap, i SIR MORDRED IS CHOSEN KING 181
mother's brother, and on her himself King Arthur begat you upon his
own sister, therefore how may you wed your father's wife ? Sir, said
the noble clerk, leave this opinion or I shall curse you with book and
bell and candle. Do thou thy worst, said Sir Mordred, wit thou well
I shall defy thee. Sir, said the Bishop, and wit you well I shall not fear
me to do that me ought to do. Also where ye noise where my lord
Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul
work in this land. Peace, thou false priest, said Sir Mordred, for an
thou chafe me anymore I shall make strike off thy head. So the Bishop
departed and did the cursing in the most orgulist wise that might be
done. And then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury, for to
have slain him. Then the Bishop fled, and took part of his goods with
him, and went nigh unto Glastonbury; and there he was as priest
hermit in a chapel, and lived in poverty and in holy prayers, for well
he understood that mischievous war was at hand.
Then Sir Mordred sought on Queen Guenever by letters and
sonds, and by fair means and foul means, for to have her to come out
of the Tower of London; but all this availed not, for she answered him
shortly, openly and privily, that she had liefer slay herself than to be
married with him. Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur
had araised the siege for Sir Launcelot, and he was coming homeward
with a great host, to be avenged upon Sir Mordred; wherefore Sir
Mordred made write writs to all the barony of this land, and much
people drew to him. For then was the common voice among them that
with Arthur was none other life but war and strife, and with Sir
Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus was Sir Arthur depraved, and
evil said of. And many there were that King Arthur had made up of
nought, and given them lands, might not then say him a good word. Lo
ye all Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was ! for he that
was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellow-
ship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden, now might
not these Englishmen hold them content with him. Lo thus was the
old custom and usage of this land ; and also men say that we of this
land have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this
is a great default of us Englishmen, forthere may no thing please us no
term. And so fared the people at that time, they were better pleased
with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur; and much people
drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for better
182 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
and for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover,
for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought
to beat his own father from his lands; and the most part of all England
held with Sir Mordred, the people were so new-fangle.
CHAPTER II. HOW AFTER THAT KING ARTHUR HAD
TIDINGS, HE RETURNED AND CAME TO DOVER, WHERE
SIR MORDRED MET HIM TO LET HIS LANDING; AND OF
THE DEATH OF SIR GAWAINE
kND so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came
King Arthur with a great navy of ships, and galleys, and
carracks. And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting
upon his landing, to let his own father to land upon the land
that he was king over. Then there was launching of great boats and
small, and full of noble men of arms ; and there was much slaughter of
gentle knights, and many a full bold baron was laid full low, on both
parties. But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no
manner of knights let him to land, and his knights fiercely followed
him ; and so they landed maugre Sir Mordred and all his power, and
put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled and all his people.
So when this battle was done, King Arthur let bury his people that
were dead. And then was noble Sir Gawaine found in a great boat,
lying more than half dead. When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine
was laid so low, he went unto him ; and there the king made sorrow
out of measure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, and thrice he there
swooned. And then when he awaked, he said : Alas, Sir Gawaine, my
sister's son, here nowthou liest, the man in the world that I loved most ;
and now is my joy gone, for now, my nephew Sir Gawaine, I will dis-
cover me unto your person : in Sir Launcelot and you I most had my
joy, and mine affiance, and now have Host my joy of you both; where-
fore all mine earthly joy is gone from me. Mine uncle King Arthur,
said Sir Gawaine, wit you well my death-day is come, and all is
through mine own hastiness and wilfulness ; for I am smitten upon the
old wound the which Sir Launcelot gave me, on the which I feel well
I must die; and had Sir Launcelot been with you as he was, this
unhappy war had never begun; and of all this am I causer, for Sir
Launcelot and his blood, through their prowess, held all your cankered
enemies in subjection and daunger. And now, said Sir Gawaine, ye
Chap. 2 OF KING ARTHUR AND MORDRED 183
shall miss Sir Launcelot. But alas, I would not accord with him, and
therefore, said Sir Gawaine, I pray you, fair uncle, that I may have
paper, pen, and ink, that I may write to Sir Launcelot a cedle with
mine own hands.
And then when paper and ink was brought, then Gawaine was set
up weakly by King Arthur, for he was shriven a little to-fore; and
then he wrote thus, as the French book maketh mention : Unto Sir
Launcelot, flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of or saw by my
days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's son unto the
noble King Arthur, send thee greeting, and let thee have knowledge
that the tenth day of May I was smitten upon the old wound that thou
gavest me afore the city of Benwick, and through the same wound
that thou gavest me I am come to my death-day. And I will that all the
world wit, that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table Round, sought my
death, and not through thy deserving, but it was mine own seeking ;
wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, to return again unto this
realm, and see my tomb, and pray some prayer more or less for my
soul. And this same day that I wrote this cedle, I was hurt to the death
in the same wound, the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot ; for of
a more nobler man might I not be slain. Also Sir Launcelot, for all the
love that ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but come over the sea
in all haste, that thou mayst with thy noble knights rescue that noble
king that made thee knight, that is my lord Arthur ; for he is full
straitly bestead with a false traitor, that is my half-brother, Sir Mor-
dred ; and he hath let crown him king, and would have wedded my
lady Queen Guenever, and so had he done had she not put herself in
the Tower of London. And so the tenth day of May last past, my lord
Arthur and we all landed upon them at Dover; and there we put that
false traitor, Sir Mordred, to flight, and there it misfortuned me to be
stricken upon thy stroke. And at the date of this letter was written,
but two hours and a half afore my death, written with mine own hand,
and so subscribed with part of my heart's blood. And I require thee,
most famous knight of the world, that thou wilt see my tomb. And then
Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept ; and then they swooned
both. And when they awaked both, the king made Sir Gawaine to
receive his Saviour. And then Sir Gawaine prayed the king for to
send for Sir Launcelot, and to cherish him above all other knights.
And so at the hour of noon Sir Gawaine yielded up the spirit ; and
184 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
then the king let inter him in a chapel within Dover Castle ; and there
yet all men may see the skull of him, and the same wound is seen that
Sir Launcelot gave him in battle. Then was it told the king that Sir
Mordred had pight a new field upon Barham Down. And upon the
morn the king rode thither to him, and there was a great battle betwixt
them, and much people was slain on both parties ; but at the last Sir
Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his party fled unto
Canterbury.
CHAPTER III. HOW AFTER, SIR GAWAINE'S GHOST
APPEARED TO KING ARTHUR, AND WARNED HIM THAT
HE SHOULD NOT FIGHT THAT DAY
then the king let search all the towns for his knights that
/\\ were slain, and interred them ; and salved them with soft
I — A salves that so sore were wounded. Then much people drew
</L J.\ unto King Arthur. And then they said that Sir Mordred
warred upon King Arthur with wrong. And then King Arthur drew
him with his host down by the seaside, westward toward Salisbury ;
and there was a day assigned betwixt King Arthur and Sir Mordred,
that they should meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and not far from
the seaside ; and this day was assigned on a Monday after Trinity
Sunday, whereof King Arthur was passing glad, that he might be
avenged upon Sir Mordred. Then Sir Mordred araised much people
about London, for they of Kent, Southsex, and Surrey, Estsex, and of
Southfolk, and of Northfolk, held the most part with Sir Mordred ; and
many a full noble knight drew unto Sir Mordred and to the king : but
they that loved Sir Launcelot drew unto Sir Mordred.
So upon Trinity Sunday at night, King Arthur dreamed a wonder-
ful dream, and that was this : that him seemed he sat upon a chaflet in
a chair, and the chair was fast to a wheel, and thereupon sat King
Arthur in the richest cloth of gold that might be made ; and the king
thought there was under him, far from him, an hideous deep black
water, and therein were all manner of serpents, and worms, and wild
beasts, foul and horrible ; and suddenly the king thought the wheel
turned up-so-down, and he fell among the serpents, and every beast
took him by a limb ; and then the king cried as he lay in his bed and
slept: Help. And then knights, squires, and yeomen, awaked the
Chap. 3 OF SIR GAWAINE'S GHOST 185
king ; and then he was so amazed that he wist not where he was ; and
then he fell a-slumbering again, not sleeping nor thoroughly waking.
So the king seemed verily that there came Sir Gawaine unto him with
a number of fair ladies with him. And when King Arthur saw him,
then he said : Welcome, my sister's son ; I weened thou hadst been
dead, and now I see thee alive, much am I beholding unto Almighty
Jesu. O fair nephew and my sister's son, what be these ladies that
hither be come with you? Sir, said Sir Gawaine, all these be ladies for
whom I have foughten when I was man living, and all these are those
that I did battle for in righteous quarrel ; and God hath given them
that grace at their great prayer, because I did battle for them, that
they should bring me hither unto you : thus much hath God given me
leave, for to warn you of your death ; for an ye fight as to-morn with
Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye must be slain,
and the most part of your people on both parties. And for the great
grace and goodness that almighty Jesu hath unto you, and for pity of
you, and many more other good men there shall be slain, God hath
sent me to you of his special grace, to give you warning that in no wise
ye do battle as to-morn, but that ye take a treaty for a month day ; and
proffer you largely, so as to-morn to be put in a delay. For within a
month shall come Sir Launcelot with all his noble knights, and rescue
you worshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred, and all that ever will hold
with him. Then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished.
And anon the king called upon his knights, squires, and yeomen,
and charged them wightly to fetch his noble lords and wise bishops
unto him. And when they were come, the king told them his avision,
what Sir Gawaine had told him, and warned him that if he fought on
the morn he should be slain. Then the king commanded Sir Lucan
the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them,
and charged them in any wise, an they might, Take a treaty for a
month day with Sir Mordred, and spare not, proffer him lands and
goods as much as ye think best. So then they departed, and came to
Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of an hundred thousand men.
And there they entreated Sir Mordred long time ; and at the last Sir
Mordred was agreed for to have Corn wall and Kent, by Arthur's days:
after, all England, after the days of King Arthur.
iv b b
186 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
CHAPTER IV. HOW BY MISADVENTURE OF AN ADDER
THE BATTLE BEGAN, WHERE MORDRED WAS SLAIN,
AND ARTHUR HURT TO THE DEATH
p' — 1 I — >^HEN were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir
Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and everych
of them should bring fourteen persons ; and they came with
this word unto Arthur. Then said he : I am glad that this is
done : and so he went into the field. And when Arthur should depart,
he warned all his host that an they see any sword drawn : Look ye
come on fiercely, and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, for I in no wise
trust him. In like wise Sir Mordred warned his host that : An ye see
any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that
ever before you standeth ; for in no wise I will not trust for this treaty,
for I know well my father will be avenged on me. And so they met as
their appointment was, and so they were agreed and accorded thor-
oughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank. Right soon came an
adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot. And
when the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the adder,
and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none
other harm. And when the host on both parties saw that sword drawn,
then they blew beams, trumpets, and hprns, and shouted grimly. And
so both hosts dressed them together. And King Arthur took his horse,
and said : Alas this unhappy day! and so rode to his party. And Sir
Mordred in like wise. And never was there seen a more dolefuller
battle in no Christian land ; for there was but rushing and riding, foin-
ing and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to
other, and many a deadly stroke. But ever King Arthur rode through-
out the battle of Sir Mordred many times, and did full nobly as a noble
king should, and at all times he fainted never; and Sir Mordred that
day put him in devoir, and in great peril. And thus they fought all the
long day, and never stinted till the noble knights were laid to the cold
earth ; and ever they fought still till it was near night, and by that time
was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon the down. Then was
Arthur wood wroth out of measure, when he saw his people so slain
from him.
Then the king looked about him, and then was he ware, of all his
host and of all his good knights, were left no more alive but two knights ;
Chap. 4 HOW ARTHUR WAS HURT 187
that one was Sir Lucan the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, and
they were full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where are all
my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day,
for now, said Arthur, I am come to mine end. But would to God that I
wist where were that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this
mischief. Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned
upon his sword among a great heap of dead men. Now give me my
spear, said Arthur unto Sir Lucan, for yonder I have espied the traitor
that all this woe hath wrought. Sir, let him be, said Sir Lucan, for he
is unhappy ; and if ye pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well
revenged upon him. Good lord, remember ye of your night's dream,
and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this night, yet God of his
great goodness hath preserved you hitherto. Therefore, for God's
sake, my lord, leave off by this, for blessed be God ye have won the
field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none alive;
and if ye leave off now this wicked day of destiny is past. Tide me
death, betide me life, saith the king, now I see him yonder alone he
shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I never have
him. God speed you well, said Sir Bedivere.
Then the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran toward Sir
Mordred, crying : Traitor, now is thy death-day come. And when Sir
Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran until him with his sword drawn in
his hand. And there King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the shield,
with a foin of his spear, throughout the body, more than a fathom. And
when Sir Mordred felt that he had his death wound he thrust himself
with the might that he had up to the bur of King Arthur's spear. And
right so he smote his father Arthur, with his sword hold en in both his
hands, on the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and
the brain-pan, and therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the
earth ; and the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he
swooned ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere oft-
times heaved him up. And so weakly they led him betwixt them both,
to a little chapel not far from the seaside. And when the king was
there he thought him well eased.
Then heard they people cry in the field. Now go thou, Sir Lucan,
said the king, and do me to wit what betokens that noise in the field.
So Sir Lucan departed, forhewas grievously wounded inmanyplaces.
And so as he yede, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how that
iss LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
pillers and robbers were come into the field, to pill and to rob many a
full noble knight of brooches, and beads, of many a good ring, and of
many a rich jewel ; and who that were not dead all out, there they
slew them for their harness and their riches. When Sir Lucan under-
stood this work, he came to the king as soon as he might, and told him
all what he had heard and seen. Therefore by my rede, said Sir
Lucan, it is best that we bring you to some town. I would it were so,
said the king.
CHAPTER V. HOW KING ARTHUR COMMANDED TO
CAST HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR INTO THE WATER, AND
HOW HE WAS DELIVERED TO LADIES IN A BARGE
I may not stand, mine head works so. Ah Sir Launcelot,
said King Arthur, this day have I sore missed thee : alas, that
ever I was against thee, for now have I my death, whereof
Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream. Then Sir Lucan took
up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere the other part, and in the
lifting the king swooned ; and Sir Lucan fell in a swoon with the lift,
that the part of his guts fell out of his body, and therewith the noble
knight's heart brast. And when the king awoke, he beheld Sir Lucan,
how he lay foaming at the mouth, and part of his guts lay at his feet.
Alas, said the king, this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this noble
duke so die for my sake, for he would have holpen me, that had more
need of help than I. Alas, he would not complain him, his heart was
so set to help me : now Jesu have mercy upon his soul ! Then Sir Bedi-
vere wept for the death of his brother. Leave this mourning and
weeping, said the king, for all this will not avail me, for wit thou well
an I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me ever-
more ; but my time hieth fast, said the king. Therefore, said Arthur
unto Sir Bedivere, take thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it
to yonder water side, and when thou comest there I charge thee throw
my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou there
seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your commandment shall be done, and
lightly bring you word again.
So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble
sword, that the pommel and the haft was all of precious stones ; and
then he said to himself: If I throw this rich sword in the water, thereof
shall never come good, but harm and loss. And then Sir Bedivere hid
Chap. 5 OF ARTHUR'S SWORD EXCALIBUR 189
Excalibur under a tree. And so, as soon as he might, he came again
unto the king, and said he had been at the water, and had thrown the
sword in the water. What saw thou there? said the king. Sir, he said,
I saw nothing but waves and winds. That is untruly said of thee, said
the king, therefore go thou lightly again, and do my commandment ;
as thou art to me lief and dear, spare not, but throw it in. Then Sir
Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his hand ; and then
him thought sin and shame to throw away that noble sword, and so eft
he hid the sword, and returned again, and told to the king that he had
been at the water, and done his commandment. What saw thou there?
said the king. Sir, he said, I saw nothing but the waters wap and waves
wan. Ah, traitor untrue, said King Arthur, now hast thou betrayed
me twice. Who would have weened that, thou that hast been to me so
lief and dear? and thou art named a noble knight, and would betray
me for the richness of the sword. But now go again lightly, for thy long
tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold.
And but if thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay
thee with mine own hands ; for thou wouldst for my rich sword see
me dead.
Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly
took it up, and went to the water side ; and there he bound the girdle
about the hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water as
he might ; and there came an arm and an hand above the water and
met it, and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished, and then
vanished away the hand with the sword in the water. So Sir Bedivere
came again to the king, and told him what he saw. Alas, said the king,
help me hence, for I dread me I have tarried over long. Then Sir
Bedivere took the king upon his back, and so went with him to that
water side. And when they were at the water side, even fast by the
bank hoved a little barge with many fair ladies in it, and among them
all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and all they wept and
shrieked when they saw King Arthur. Now put me into the barge,
said the king. And so he did softly; and there received him three
queens with great mourning ; and so they set them down, and in one
of their laps King Arthur laid his head. And then that queen said :
Ah, dear brother, why have ye tarried so long from me? alas, this
wound on your head hath caught over-much cold. And so then they
rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all those ladies go from
190 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
him. Then SirBedivere cried : Ah my lord Arthur, what shall become
of me, now ye go from me and leave me here alone among mine
enemies? Comfort thyself, said the king, and do as well as thou mayst,
for in me is no trust for to trust in ; for I will into the vale of Avilion to
heal me of my grievous wound : and if thou hear never more of me,
pray for my soul. But ever the queens and ladies wept and shrieked,
that it was pity to hear. And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight
of the barge, he wept and wailed, and so took the forest; and so he
went all that night, and in the morning he was ware betwixt two holts
hoar, of a chapel and an hermitage.
CHAPTER VI. HOW SIR BEDIVERE FOUND HIM ON THE
MORROW DEAD IN AN HERMITAGE, AND HOW HE
ABODE THERE WITH THE HERMIT
p- — I I — ^HEN was SirBedivere glad, and thither he went; and when
he came into the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit grovel-
ling on all four, there fast by a tomb was new graven. When
. . the hermit saw Sir Bedivere he knew him well, for he was
but little to-fore Bishop of Canterbury, that Sir Mordred flemed. Sir,
said Bedivere, what man is there interred that ye pray so fast for?
Fair son, said the hermit, I wot not verily, but by deeming. But this
night, at midnight, here came a number of ladies, and brought hither
a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him ; and here they offered an
hundred tapers, and they gave me an hundred besants. Alas, said Sir
Bedivere, that was my lord King Arthur, that here lieth buried in this
chapel. Then Sir Bedivere swooned ; and when he awoke he prayed
the hermit he might abide with him still there, to live with fasting and
prayers. For from hence will I never go, said SirBedivere, by my will,
but all the days of my life here to pray for my lord Arthur. Ye are
welcome to me, said the hermit, for I know ye better than ye ween that
I do. Ye are the bold Bedivere, and the full noble duke, Sir Lucan the
Butler, was your brother. Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as ye
have heard to-fore. So there bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit that
was to- fore Bishop of Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere put upon
him poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and in
prayers.
Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be authorised,
nor more of the very certainty of his death heard I never read, but
Chap. 7 OF THE DEATH OF ARTHUR 191
thus was he led away in a ship wherein were three queens ; that one
was King Arthur's sister, Queen Morgan le Fay ; the other was the
Queen of Northgalis ; the third was the Queen of the Waste Lands.
Also there was Nimue, the chief lady of the lake, that had wedded
Pelleas the good knight ; and this lady had done much for King Arthur,
for she would never suffer Sir Pelleas to be in no place where he should
be in danger of his life ; and so he lived to the uttermost of his days
with her in great rest. More of the death of King Arthur could I never
find, but that ladies brought him to his burials; and such one was buried
there, that the hermit bare witness that sometime was Bishop of Can-
terbury, but yet the hermit knew not in certain that he was verily the
body of King Arthur : for this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of the Table
Round, made it to be written.
CHAPTER VII. OF THE OPINION OF SOME MEN OF THE
DEATH OF KING ARTHUR; AND HOW QUEEN GUEN-
EVER MADE HER A NUN IN ALMESBURY
YET some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur
is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesu into another
place ; and men say that he shall come again, and he shall
win the holy cross. I will not say it shall be so, but rather I
will say: here in this world he changed his life. But many men
say that there is written upon his tomb this verse: HIC JACET
ARTHURUS, REX QUONDAM, REXQUE FUTURUS. Thus
leave I here Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that dwelled that time in a
chapel beside Glastonbury, and there was his hermitage. And so they
lived in their prayers, and fastings, and great abstinence. And when
Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and all the
noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then the queen stole
away, and five ladies with her, and so she went to Almesbury; and
there she let make herself a nun, and ware white clothes and black,
and great penance she took, as ever did sinful lady in this land, and
never creature could make her merry ; but lived in fasting, prayers,
and alms-deeds, that all manner of people marvelled how virtuously
she was changed. Now leave we Queen Guenever in Almesbury, a
nun in white clothes and black, and there she was Abbess and ruler
as reason would ; and turn we from her, and speak we of Sir Launce-
lot du Lake.
192 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
CHAPTER VIII. HOW WHEN SIR LAUNCELOT HEARD
OF THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR, AND OF SIR
GAWAINE, AND OTHER MATTERS, HE CAME INTO
ENGLAND
^ND when he heard in his country that Sir Mordred was crowned
king in England, and made war against King Arthur, his
own father, and would let him to land in his own land ; also
it was told Sir Launcelot how that Sir Mordred had laid
siege about the Tower of London, because the queen would not wed
him ; then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of measure, and said to his
kinsmen : Alas, that double traitor Sir Mordred, now me repenteth
that ever he escaped my hands, for much shame hath he done unto my
lord Arthur; for all I feel by the doleful letter that my lord Sir Gawaine
sent me, on whose soul Jesu have mercy, that my lord Arthur is full hard
bestead. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I should live to hear that
most noble king that made me knight thus to be overset with his sub-
ject in hisown realm. And this doleful letterthat mylord, SirGawaine,
hath sent me afore his death, praying me to see his tomb, wit you well
his doleful words shall never go from mine heart, for he was a full
noble knight as ever was born ; and in an unhappy hour was I born
that ever I should have that unhap to slay first Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris
the good knight, and mine own friend Sir Gareth, that full noble
knight. Alas, I may say I am unhappy, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I
should do thus unhappily, and, alas, yet might I never have hap to slay
that traitor, Sir Mordred.
Leave your complaints, said Sir Bors, and first revenge you of the
death of Sir Gawaine ; and it will be well done that ye see Sir Gawaine's
tomb, and secondly that ye revenge my lord Arthur, and my lady,
Queen Guenever. I thank you, said Sir Launcelot, for ever ye will
my worship.
Then they made them ready in all the haste that might be, with
ships and galleys, with Sir Launcelot and his host to pass into England.
And so he passed over the sea till he came to Dover, and there he
landed with seven kings, and the number was hideous to behold.
Then Sir Launcelot spered of men of Dover where was King Arthur
become. Then the people told him how that he was slain, and Sir
Mordred and an hundred thousand died on a day ; and how Sir Mor-
Chap. 9 OF LAUNCELOT AND THE QUEEN 193
dred gave King Arthur there the first battle at his landing, and there
was good SirGawaine slain; and on the morn Sir Mordred foughtwith
the king upon Barham Down, and there the king put Sir Mordred to
the worse. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, this is the heaviest tidings that
ever came to me. Now, fair sirs, said Sir Launcelot, shew me the tomb
of Sir Gawaine. And then certain people of the town brought him
into the castle of Dover, and shewed him the tomb. Then Sir Launce-
lot kneeled down and wept, and prayed heartily for his soul. And
that night he made a dole, and all they that would come had as much
flesh, fish, wine and ale, and every man and woman had twelve pence,
come who would. Thus with his own hand dealt he this money, in a
mourning gown ; and ever he wept, and prayed them to pray for the
soul of Sir Gawaine. And on the morn all the priests and clerks that
might be gotten in the country were there, and sang mass of Requiem ;
and there offered first Sir Launcelot, and he offered an hundred
pound ; and then the seven kings offered forty pound apiece ; and also
there was a thousand knights, and each of them offered a pound ; and
the offering dured from morn till night, and Sir Launcelot lay two
nights on his tomb in prayers and weeping.
Then on the third day Sir Launcelot called the kings, dukes, earls,
barons, and knights, and said thus : My fair lords, I thank you all of
your coming into this country with me, but we came too late, and that
shall repent me while I live, but against death may no man rebel. But
sithen it is so, said Sir Launcelot, I will myself ride and seek my lady,
Queen Guenever, for as I hear say she hath had great pain and much
disease ; and I heard say that she is fled into the west. Therefore ye
all shall abide me here, and but if I come again within fifteen days, then
take your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country, for
I will do as I say to you.
CHAPTER IX. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED TO
SEEK THE QUEEN GUENEVER, AND HOW HE FOUND
HER AT ALMESBURY
p. — I 1 — ^HEN came SirBors deGanis, and said : My lord Sir Launce-
lot, what think ye for to do, now to ride in this realm? wit
ye well ye shall find few friends. Be as be may, said Sir
Launcelot, keep you still here, for I will forth on my journey,
and no man nor child shall go with me. So it was no boot to strive, but
iv c c
194 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
he departed and rode westerly, and there he sought a seven or eight
days; and at the last he came to a nunnery, and then was Queen
Guenever ware of Sir Launcelot as he walked in the cloister. And
when she saw him there she swooned thrice, that all the ladies and
gentlewomen had work enough to hold the queen up. So when she
might speak, she called ladies and gentlewomen to her, and said : Ye
marvel, fair ladies, why I make this fare. Truly, she said, it is for the
sight of yonder knight that yonder standeth ; wherefore I pray you all
call him to me.
When Sir Launcelot was brought to her, then she said to all the
ladies : Through this man and me hath all this war been wrought, and
the death of the most noblest knights of the world ; for through our
love that we have loved together is my most noble lord slain. There-
fore, Sir Launcelot, wit thou well I am set in such a plight to get my
soul-heal ; and yet I trust through God's grace that after my death to
have a sight of the blessed face of Christ, and at domesday to sit on his
right side, for as sinful as ever I was are saints in heaven. Therefore,
Sir Launcelot, I require thee and beseech thee heartily, for all the love
that ever was betwixt us, that thou never see me more in the visage ;
and I command thee, on God's behalf, that thou forsake my company,
and to thy kingdom thou turn again, and keep well thy realm from war
and wrack ; for as well as I have loved thee, mine heart will not serve
me to see thee, for through thee and me is the flower of kings and
knights destroyed; therefore, Sir Launcelot, go to thy realm, and
there take thee a wife, and live with her with joy and bliss ; and I pray
thee heartily, pray for me to our Lord that I may amend my misliving.
Now, sweet madam, said Sir Launcelot, would ye that I should now
return again unto my country, and there to wed a lady? Nay, madam,
wit you well that shall I never do, for I shall never be so false to you of
that I have promised ; but the same destiny that ye have taken you to,
I will take me unto, for to please Jesu, and ever for you I cast me
specially to pray. If thou wilt do so, said the queen, hold thy promise,
but I may never believe but that thou wilt turn to the world again.
Well, madam, said he, ye say as pleaseth you, yet wist you me never
false of my promise, and God defend but I should forsake the world as
ye have done. For in the quest of the Sangreal I had forsaken the
vanities of the world had not your lord been. And if I had done so
at that time, with my heart, will, and thought, I had passed all the
Chap. 10 LAUNCELOT AT THE HERMITAGE 195
knights that were in the Sangreal except Sir Galahad, my son. And
therefore, lady, sithen ye have taken you to perfection, I must needs
take me to perfection, of right. For I take record of God, in you I have
had mine earthly joy; and if I had found you now so disposed, I had
cast me to have had you into mine own realm.
CHAPTER X. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME TO THE
HERMITAGE WHERE THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTER-
BURY WAS, AND HOW HE TOOK THE HABIT ON HIM
T sithen I find you thus disposed, I ensure you faithfully, I
will ever take me to penance, and pray while my life lasteth,
I if I may find any hermit, either gray or white, that will receive
me. Wherefore, madam, I pray you kiss me and never no
more. Nay, said the queen, that shall I never do, but abstain you from
such works : and they departed. But there was never so hard an
hearted man but he would have wept to see the dolour that they
made ; for there was lamentation as they had been stung with spears ;
and many times they swooned, and the ladies bare the queen to her
chamber.
And Sir Launcelot awoke, and went and took his horse, and rode
all that day and all night in a forest, weeping. And at the last he was
ware of an hermitage and a chapel stood betwixt two cliffs ; and then
he heard a little bell ring to mass, and thither he rode and alighted,
and tied his horse to the gate, and heard mass. And he that sang mass
was the Bishop of Canterbury. Both the Bishop and Sir Bedivere
knew Sir Launcelot, and they spake together after mass. But when
Sir Bedivere had told his tale all whole, Sir Launcelot's heart almost
brast for sorrow, and Sir Launcelot threw his arms abroad, and said :
Alas, who may trust this world. And then he kneeled down on his
knee, and prayed the Bishop to shrive him and assoil him. And then
he besought the Bishop that he might be his brother. Then the Bishop
said : I will gladly ; and there he put an habit upon Sir Launcelot, and
there he served God day and night with prayers and fastings.
Thus the great host abode at Dover. And then Sir Lionel took
fifteen lords with him, and rode to London to seek Sir Launcelot ; and
there Sir Lionel was slain and many of his lords. Then Sir Bors de
Ganis made the great host for to go home again; and Sir Bors, Sir
Ector de Maris, Sir Blamore, Sir Bleoberis, with more other of Sir
196 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
Launcelot's kin, took on them to ride all England overthwart and end-
long, to seek Sir Launcelot. So Sir Bors by fortune rode so long till he
came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot was ; and so Sir Bors
heard a little bell knell, that rang to mass ; and there he alighted and
heard mass. And when mass was done, the Bishop, Sir Launcelot,
and Sir Bedivere, came to Sir Bors. And when Sir Bors saw Sir
Launcelot in that manner clothing, then he prayed the Bishop that he
might be in the same suit. And so there was an habit put upon him,
and there he lived in prayers and fasting. And within half a year,
there was come Sir Galihud, SirGalihodin, SirBlamore, Sir Bleoberis,
Sir Villiars, Sir Clarras, and Sir Gahalantine. So all these seven noble
knights there abode still. And when they saw Sir Launcelot had taken
him to such perfection, they had no lust to depart, but took such an
habit as he had.
Thus they endured in great penance six year; and then Sir
Launcelot took the habit of priesthood of the Bishop, and a twelve-
month he sang mass. And there was none of these other knights but
they read in books, and holp for to sing mass, and rang bells, and did
bodily all manner of service. And so their horses went where they
would, for they took no regard of no worldly riches. For when they
saw Sir Launcelot endure such penance, in prayers, and fastings, they
took no force what pain they endured, for to see the noblest knight of
the world take such abstinence that he waxed full lean. And thus
upon a night, there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him,
in remission of his sins, to haste him unto Almesbury : And by then
thou come there, thou shalt find Queen Guenever dead. And there-
fore take thy fellows with thee, and purvey them of an horse bier, and
fetch thou the corpse of her, and bury her by her husband, the noble
King Arthur. So this avision came to Sir Launcelot thrice in one night.
CHAPTER XI. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT WENT WITH HIS
SEVEN FELLOWS TO ALMESBURY, AND FOUND THERE
QUEEN GUENEVER DEAD, WHOM THEY BROUGHT TO
GLASTONBURY
P- — I I — ^HEN Sir Launcelot rose up or day, and told the hermit. It
were well done, said the hermit, that ye made you ready,
and that you disobey not the avision. Then Sir Launcelot
took his eight fellows with him, and on foot they yede from
Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more than thirty mile.
Chap. 1 1 OF THE DEATH OF GUENE VER 197
And thither they came within two days, for they were weak and feeble
to go. And when Sir Launcelot was come to Almesbury within the
nunnery, Queen Guenever died but half an hour afore. And the ladies
told Sir Launcelot that Queen Guenever told them all or she passed,
that Sir Launcelot had been priest near a twelvemonth, And hither
he cometh as fast as he may to fetch my corpse; and beside my lord,
King Arthur, he shall bury me. Wherefore the queen said in hearing
of them all : I beseech Almighty God that I may never have power to
see Sir Launcelot with my worldly eyen ; and thus, said all the ladies,
was ever her prayer these two days, till she was dead. Then Sir
Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed. And
so he did all the observance of the service himself, both the dirige, and
on the morn he sang mass. And there was ordained an horse bier ;
and so with an hundred torches ever brenning about the corpse of the
queen, and ever Sir Launcelot with his eight fellows went about the
horse bier, singing and reading many an holy orison, and frankin-
cense upon the corpse incensed. Thus Sir Launcelot and his eight
fellows went on foot from Almesbury unto Glastonbury.
And when they were come to the chapel and the hermitage, there
she had a dirige, with great devotion. And on the morn the hermit
that sometime was Bishop of Canterbury sang the mass of Requiem
with great devotion. And Sir Launcelot was the first that offered, and
then also his eight fellows. And then she was wrapped in cered
cloth of Raines, from the top to the toe, in thirty fold ; and after she was
put in a web of lead, and then in a coffin of marble. And when she was
put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned, and lay long still, while the
hermit came and awaked him, and said : Ye be to blame, for ye dis-
please God with such manner of sorrow-making. Truly, said Sir
Launcelot, I trust I do not displease God, for He knoweth mine intent.
For my sorrow was not, nor is not, for any rejoicing of sin, but my sor-
row may never have end. For when I remember of her beauty, and
of her noblesse, that was both with her king and with her, so when I
saw his corpse and her corpse so lie together, truly mine heart would not
serve to sustain my careful body. Also when I remember me how by
my default, mine orgule and my pride, that they were both laid full
low, that were peerless that ever was living of Christian people, wit
you well, said Sir Launcelot, this remembered, of their kindness and
mine unkindness, sank so to mine heart, that I might not sustain myself.
So the French book maketh mention.
198 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
CHAPTER XII. HOW SIR LAUNCELOT BEGAN TO
SICKEN, AND AFTER DIED, WHOSE BODY WAS BORNE
TO JOYOUS CARD FOR TO BE BURIED
^ — I I — ^HEN Sir Launcelot never after ate but little meat, ne drank,
till he was dead. For then he sickened more and more, and
dried, and dwined away. For the Bishop nor none of his
fellows might not make him to eat, and little he drank, that he
was waxen by a cubit shorter than he was, that the people could not
know him. For evermore, day and night, he prayed, but sometime
he slumbered a broken sleep ; ever he was lying grovelling on the tomb
of King Arthur and Queen Guenever. And there was no comfort that
the Bishop, nor Sir Bors, nor none of his fellows, could make him, it
availed not. So within six weeks after, Sir Launcelot fell sick, and lay
in his bed ; and then he sent for the Bishop that there was hermit, and
all his true fellows. Then Sir Launcelot said with dreary Steven : Sir
Bishop, I pray you give to me all my rites that longeth to a Christian
man. It shall not need you, said the hermit and all his fellows, it is but
heaviness of your blood, ye shall be well mended by the grace of God
to-morn. My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well my careful
body will into the earth, I have warning more than now I will say;
therefore give me my rites. So when he was houseled and anealed,
and had all that a Christian man ought to have, he prayed the Bishop
that his fellows might bear his body to Joyous Card. Some men say it
was Alnwick, and some men say it was Bamborough. Howbeit, said
Sir Launcelot, me repenteth sore, but I made mine avow sometime,
that in Joyous Gard I would be buried. And because of breaking of
mine avow, I pray you all, lead me thither. Then there was weeping
and wringing of hands among his fellows.
So at a season of the night they all went to their beds, for they all
lay in one chamber. And so after midnight, against day, the Bishop
that then was hermit, as he lay in his bed asleep, he fell upon a great
laughter. And therewith all the fellowship awoke, and came to the
Bishop, and asked him what he ailed. Ah Jesu mercy, said the Bishop,
why did ye awake me? I was never in all my life so merry and so well
at ease. Wherefore ? said Sir Bors. Truly, said the Bishop, here was
Sir Launcelot with me with mo angels than ever I saw men in one day.
And I saw the angels heave up Sir Launcelot unto heaven, and the
Chap. 13 OF THE DEATH OF LAUNCELOT 199
gates of heaven opened against him. It is but dretching of swevens,
said Sir Bors, for I doubt not Sir Launcelot aileth nothing but good. It
may well be, said the Bishop ; go ye to his bed, and then shall ye prove
the sooth. So when Sir Bors and his fellows came to his bed they
found him stark dead, and he lay as he had smiled, and the sweetest
savour about him that ever they felt.
Then was there weeping and wringing of hands, and the greatest
dole they made that ever made men. And on the morn the Bishop did
his mass of Requiem ; and after, the Bishop and all the nine knights
put Sir Launcelot in the same horse bier that Queen Guenever was
laid in to- fore that she was buried. And so the Bishop and they all
together went with the body of Sir Launcelot daily, till they came to
Joyous Card ; and ever they had an hundred torches brenning about
him. And so within fifteen days they came to Joyous Card. And there
they laid his corpse in the body of the quire, and sang and read many
psalters and prayers over him and about him. And ever his visage
was laid open and naked, that all folks might behold him. For such
was the custom in those days, that all men of worship should so lie
with open visage till that they were buried. And right thus as they
were at their service, there came Sir Ector de Maris, that had seven
years sought all England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother,
Sir Launcelot.
CHAPTER XI 1 1. HOW SIR ECTOR FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT
HIS BROTHER DEAD, AND HOWCONSTANTINE REIGNED
NEXT AFTER ARTHUR; AND OF THE END OF THIS
BOOK
when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the quire of
Joyous Card, he alighted and put his horse from him,
and came into the quire, and there he saw men sing and
weep. And all they knew Sir Ector, but he knew not
them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector, and told him how there lay
his brother, Sir Launcelot, dead; and then Sir Ector threw his shield,
sword, and helm from him. And when he beheld Sir Launcelot's
visage, he fell down in a swoon. And when he waked it were hard
any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for his brother.
Ah Launcelot, he said, thou were head of all Christian knights, and
now I dare say, said Sir Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest,
200 LE MORTE DARTHUR Book XXI
that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hand. And thou
were the courteoust knight that ever bare shield. And thou were the
truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrad horse. And thou were the
truest lover of a sinful man that ever loved woman. And thou were
the kindest man that ever struck with sword. And thou were the
goodliest person that ever came among press of knights. And thou
was the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among
ladies. And thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever
put spear in the rest. Then there was weeping and dolour out of
measure.
Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse aloft fifteen days, and then
they buried it with great devotion. And then at leisure they went all
with the Bishop of Canterbury to his hermitage, and there they were
together more than a month. Then Sir Constantine, that was Sir
Cador's son of Cornwall, was chosen king of England. And he was a
full noble knight, and worshipfully he ruled this realm. And then this
King Constantine sent for the Bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say
where he was. And so he was restored unto his Bishopric, and left
that hermitage. And Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his
life's end. Then Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Gahalan-
tine, SirGalihud, SirGalihodin, Sir Blamore, SirBleoberis, Sir Villiars
le Valiant, Sir Clarrus of Clermont, all these knights drew them to
their countries. Howbeit King Constantine would have had them with
him, but they would not abide in this realm. And there they all lived
in their countries as holy men. And some English books make men-
tion that they went never out of England after the death of Sir Launce-
lot, but that was but favour of makers. For the French book maketh
mention, and is authorised, that Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Blamore, and
Sir Bleoberis, went into the Holy Land thereas Jesu Christ was quick
and dead, and anon as they had stablished their lands. For the book
saith, so Sir Launcelot commanded them for to do, or ever he passed
out of this world. And these four knights did many battles upon the
miscreants or Turks. And there they died upon a Good Friday for
God's sake.
HERE IS THE END OF THE BOOK OF KING ARTHUR,
AND OF HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE,
THAT WHEN THEY WERE WHOLE TOGETHER THERE
WAS EVER AN HUNDRED AND FORTY. AND HERE IS
THE END OF THE DEATH OF ARTHUR. I PRAY YOU
ALL, GENTLEMEN AND GENTLEWOMEN THAT READ-
ETH THIS BOOK OF ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS, FROM
THE BEGINNING TO THE ENDING, PRAY FOR ME WHILE
I AM ALIVE, THAT GOD SEND ME GOOD DELIVERANCE,
AND WHEN I AM DEAD, I PRAY YOU ALL PRAY FOR MY
SOUL. FOR THIS BOOK WAS ENDED THE NINTH YEAR
OF THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH, BY SIR
THOMAS MALEORE, KNIGHT, AS JESU HELP HIM FOR
HIS GREAT MIGHT, AS HE IS THE SERVANT OF JESU
BOTH DAY AND NIGHT
THUS ENDETH THIS NOBLE AND JOYOUS BOOK
ENTITLED LEMORTE DARTHUR. NOTWITHSTANDING
IT TREATETH OF THE BIRTH, LIFE, AND ACTS OF THE
SAID KING ARTHUR, OF HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS OF THE
ROUND TABLE, THEIR MARVELLOUS ENQUESTS AND
ADVENTURES, THE ACHIEVING OF THE SANGREAL,
AND IN THE END THE DOLOROUS DEATH AND DEPART-
ING OUT OF THIS WORLD OF THEM ALL. WHICH BOOK
WAS REDUCED INTO ENGLISH BY SIR THOMAS MALORY,
KNIGHT, AS AFORE IS SAID, AND BY ME DIVIDED INTO
TWENTY-ONE BOOKS, CHAPTERED AND ENPRINTED,
AND FINISHED IN THE ABBEY, WESTMINSTER, THE
LAST DAY OF JULY THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
MCCCCLXXXV
CAXTON ME FIERI FECIT
iv d d
GLOSSARY
ABASHED, abased, lower-
ed, ix 34.
Abate, depress, calm,
vii 15, 22, xviii 19.
Abought, paid for, vii 17.
Abraid, started, ix 32.
Accompted, counted, xiii 2.
Accorded, agreed, i 2.
Accordment, agreement, xx 1 1.
Acquit, repay, iv 26.
Actually, actively, iv 20.
Adoubted, afraid, x 4.
Advision, vision, xiv 7.
Afeard, afraid, i 23.
Afterdeal, disadvantage, v 8.
Againsay, retract, xiii 7.
Aknown, known, viii 14.
Aligement, alleviation, xvi 16.
Allegeance, alleviation, xviii 19.
Allow, approve, vii 5.
Almeries, chests, xvii 23.
Alther (gen. pi.), of all, iv n, xx6.
Amounted, mounted, x 3.
Anealed, anointed, xxi 12.
Anguishly, in pain, xvi 15.
Anon, at once, v 9.
Apair, weaken, iii 3.
Apparelled, fitted up, iv 6.
Appeach, impeach, x 7.
Appealed, challenged, accused,
xviii 4.
Appertices, displays, v 8.
Araged, enraged, v 2, 1x34; con-
fused, xviii 3.
Araised, raised, xxi i.
Arase, obliterate, xviii 25.
Areared, reared, x 64.
Army vestal, martial, iv 15.
Array, plight, state of affairs,
xix?.
Arrayed, situated, xvii 3.
Arson, saddle-bow, vi 7, xviii 23.
Askance, casually, viii 14.
Assoiled, absolved, xiii 20.
Assotted, infatuated, iv i.
Assummon, summon, vii 26.
Astonied, amazed, stunned, x 57.
At, of, by, vii 31, xix 8.
At-after, after, vii 21, xii 4.
Attaint, overcome, xvi 8.
Aumbries, chests, xvii 23.
Avail (at), at an advantage, xx 13.
Avaled, lowered, v 12.
Avaunt, boast, v 9.
Aventred, couched, ii 18, iv 18.
Avised, be advised, take thought,
ixio.
Avision, vision, xxi 1 1.
Avoid, quit, ix 31.
Avoided, got clear off, vii 17.
Avow, vow, x 63.
Await of (in), in watch for, ix 12.
Awayward, away, vii 19.
Awke, sideways, v 10.
GLOSSARY 203
Bachelors, probationers for Boot, remedy, ix 17.
knighthood, i 15. Borrow out, redeem, x 30.
Bain, bath, xviii 1 1, 17. Borrows, pledges, vii 18.
Barbican, gate-tower, v 5, vii 31. Bote, remedy, viii i, 6.
Barget, little ship, viii 38. Bound, ready, i 2.
Battle, division of an army, i 15. Bourded, jested, ix 43.
Bawdy, dirty, vii 5. Bourder, jester, x 25.
Beams, trumpets, xxi 4. Braced, embraced, x 78.
Be-closed, enclosed, xii 6. Brachet, little hound, iii 6.
Become (pp.), befallen, gone to, Braide, quick movement, xx 21.
xiii 18. Brast, burst, break, i 14, xviii 2.
Bedashed, splashed, xix 2. Breaths, breathing holes, viii 7.
Behests, promises, ix 16. Brief, shorten, ix 12.
Behight, promised, xvii 23. Brim, fierce, furious, xx 13.
Beholden (beholding) to, obliged Brised, broke, ix 4, x i.
to, vii 21, xiii 19. Broached, pierced, i 16.
Behote, promised, viii 8. Broaches, spits, v 5.
Benome, deprived, taken away, Bur, hand-guard of a spear, xxi 4.
xiv 8, xvi 8. Burble, bubble, xviii 22.
Besants, gold coins, iv 25. Burbling, bubbling, x 2.
Beseek, beseech, xv 4. Burgenetts, buds, blossoms, xx i.
Beseen, appointed, arrayed, i 18, Bushment, ambush, v 5.
xi 6. By and by, immediately, xviii 4.
Beskift, shove off, iv i. Bywaryed, expended, bestowed,
Bested, beset, xxi 2. vii 21.
Betaken, entrusted, i 6.
Betaught, entrusted, recommend- Canel bone, collar bone, iv 27.
ed, vi 7. Cankered, inveterate, xxi 2.
Betid, happened, vii 15. Cantel, slice, strip, i 16.
Betook, committed, entrusted, i 23, Careful, sorrowful, full of troubles,
x69. v 5, xxi 1 1.
Bevered, quivered, i 15. Cast (of bread), loaves baked at
Board (sb.), deck, xiv 7. the same time, vii 14.
Bobaunce, boasting, pride, x 63, Cast (ref. v.), propose, xiii 20.
xv 6, xviii 15. Cedle, schedule, note, xxi 2.
Boishe, bush, branch of a tree, vi 16. Cere, wax over, embalm, v 8;
Boistous, rough, ii 8, xiv 6. cered, xxi 1 1.
Bole, trunk of a tree, vi 16. Certes, certainly, xiv 7.
204
LE MORTE DARTHUR
Chafe, heat, decompose, iv 8;
chafed, heated, xivp.
Chaflet, platform, scaffold, xxi 3.
Champaign, open country, i 14.
Chariot (Fr. charette), cart, xix 4.
Cheer, countenance, vii 15, xiii 20 ;
entertainment, iii 8.
Chierte, dearness, xiii 8.
Chrism, anointing oil, ix 39.
Clatter, talk confusedly, xi 8.
Cleight, clutched, vi 2.
Cleped, called, ix 6.
Clipping, embracing, iv 22, viii 36.
Cog, small boat, v 3.
Cognisance, badge, mark of dis-
tinction, x 3.
Coif, head-piece, viii 7.
Comfort, strengthen, help, xvi 7.
Cominal, common, iv 25.
Complished, complete, vii i.
Con, know, be able, v 16; con
thank, be grateful, xx 13.
Conserve, preserve, xvii 14.
Conversant, abiding in, xvii 3.
Cording, agreement, i 1 1.
Coronal, circlet, v 5.
Cost, side, vii 12.
Costed, kept up with, xviii 21.
Couched, lay, xiv 6.
Courage, encourage, xix 10.
Courtelage, courtyard, iv 24.
Covert, sheltered, xx 22.
Covetise, covetousness, xiii 14.
Covin, deceit, xiii 15.
Cream, oil, ix 39.
Credence, faith, v 2.
Croup, crupper, viii 16.
Curteist, most courteous, vi 10.
Daffish, foolish, ix 42.
Danger (in), under obligation to,
in the power of, vii 8, xix 4.
Dawed (v. tr.), revived, xi 10;
(intr.) dawned, xvii 2.
Deadly, mortal, human, xvii 9, 20.
Deal, part, portion, xvi 1 1.
Debate, quarrel, strife, iii 6.
Debonair, courteous, xvii 4.
Deceivable, deceitful, x 61.
Defaded, faded, x 86.
Default, fault, iii 8.
Defend, forbid, i 23; defended,
forbade, vii i ; forbidden, xviii 2.
Defoiled, trodden down, fouled,
deflowered, i 14, vii 12, ix 32.
Degree (win the), rank, superior-
ity, viii 9.
Delibered, determined, v 2.
Deliverly, adroitly, xx 22.
Departed, divided, ix 7.
Departition, departure, ix 36.
Dere, harm, i 17, xiii 12.
Descrive, describe, x i.
Despoiled, stripped, xv 2.
Detrenched, cut to pieces, v 7.
Devised, looked carefully at,
xvii 13.
Devoir, duty, service, vii 23, xx 18.
Did off, doffed, xiii 17.
Dight, prepared, iv 6.
Dindled, trembled, v 8.
Disadventure, misfortune, xiii 20.
Discover, reveal, xiii 20.
Disherited, disinherited, xiii 10,
xiv 8.
Disparpled, scattered, xx i.
Dispenses, expenses, v 2.
GLOSSARY
205
Disperplyd, scattered, v 2, 8.
Dispoiled, stripped, vii 2.
Distained, sullied, dishonoured,
xviii4.
Disworship, shame, ix 3.
Dole, gift of alms, xxi 3.
Dole, sorrow, i 15, xi 14.
Domineth, dominates, rules, v i.
Don, gift, vii 2.
Doted, foolish, x 55.
Doubted, redoubtable, xvi 7.
Draughts, privities, secret inter-
views, recesses, xviii i, xix 6.
Drenched, drowned, xiv 8.
Dress, make ready, i 16.
Dressed up, raised, xiii 18.
Enchieve, achieve, ix 2, xiii 2.
Endlong, alongside of, vi 7.
Enewed, painted, iii 9.
Enforce, constrain, x 74, xviii 18.
Engine, device, x 17.
Enow, enough, i 23.
Enquest, enterprise, ix 2.
Ensured, assured, vii 17.
Entermete, intermeddle, x 26.
Errant, wandering, iv 12.
Estates, ranks, x 61.
Even hand, at an equality, ix 2.
Evenlong, along, x 6i.
Everych, each, every one, xvi 3.
Faiter, vagabond, ii 10.
Dretched, troubled in sleep, xx 5. Fare (sb.), ado, commotion, xxi 9.
Dretching, being troubled in sleep, Faren (pp.), treated, vii 15.
xxi 12. Faute (v.), lack, iii i; fauted,
Dromounds, war vessels, v 3. lacked, ix 32.
Dure, endure, last, iv i; dured, Fealty, oath of fidelity, vii 17.
viii 29 ; during, x 71. Fear, frighten, vii 16.
Duresse, bondage, hardship, xiii Feute, trace, track, vi 14, xviii 21.
12, xiv 7.
Dwined, dwindled, xxi 12.
Eased, entertained, xvii 1 1.
Eft, after, again, viii 13.
Eftures, passages, xix 7.
Embattled, ranged for battle, v 8.
Embushed, concealed in the
woods, i 19, iv 6.
Erne, uncle, viii 5.
Empoison, poison, xviii 3.
Emprised, undertook, ix 2.
Enbraid, xx 12.
Feuter, set in rest, couch, vi 2.
Feutred, set in socket, xx 13.
Fiaunce, affiance, promise, i 3.
Flang, flung, vi 7, x 41 ; rushed, ix 6.
Flailing, prostrate, xviii 7.
Fleet, float, xiii 2.
Flemed, put to flight, xx 17.
Flittered, fluttered, v 4.
Foiled, defeated, shamed, xviii 25.
Foined, thrust, xx 22.
Foining, thrusting, vii 4.
Foins, thrusts, ix 8.
Foot-hot, hastily, ix 28, 33.
Enchafe, heat, xviii 15; enchafed, For-bled, spent with bleeding, ix 8,
heated, xiv 9, xviii 5. xx 7.
206 LE MORTE DARTHUR
Force (no), no concern, iii 7, xxi 10. Greed (pp.), pleased, content,
Fordeal, advantage, v 8. xvi 15.
Fordo, destroy, viii 26; fordid, Greses, steps, xvii 18.
ii 19. Grimly, ugly, vi 8, xix 2.
Forecast, preconcerted plot, xx 5. Grovelling, on his face, viii 26.
For- fared, worsted, vi 6. Guerdonless, without re war d, x 86.
Forfend, forbid, xviii 2. Guise, fashion, i 10.
Forfoughten, weary with fighting,
ii 10. Habergeon, hauberk with leg-
Forhewn, hewn to pieces, vii 12, 17. gings attached, xvi 10.
Forjousted, tired with jousting, Hair, a hair-shirt, xv 2.
viii 39, x 58. Hale and how, a sailor's cry,
Forthinketh, repents, ii 3. vii 15.
Fortuned, happened, vii i. Halp, helped, x 64.
Forward, vanguard, xx 13. Halsed, embraced, viii 14.
Forwounded, sorely wounded, Halsing, embracing, ii 16.
ix 8. Handfast, betrothed, x 37.
Free, noble, x 61. Handsel, earnest-money, viii 16.
Froward, away from, iii 14, x 4. Hangers, testicles, x 38.
Harbingers, messengers sent to
Gad, wedge or spike of iron, prepare lodgings, vii 27.
xv 2. Harness, armour, ix 1 1.
Gainest, readiest, vii 20. Hart of greese, fat deer, x 86.
Gar, cause, xx 16. Hauberk, coat of mail, i 16.
Gart, compelled, iii 10, viii 15. Haut, high, noble, ii 19, viii 27.
Gentily, like a gentleman, ix 5. Hauteyn, haughty, iv 10.
Gerfalcon, a fine hawk, iv 26. Heavy, sad, xiv 4, 6.
Germane, closely allied, ii 1 1, xiv 2. Hete, command, xi 9.
Gest, deed, story, vi 13. Hide, skin, xi 14.
Gisarm, halberd, battle-axe, iv 25, Hied, hurried, xvii 19.
vii 22. High (on), aloud, vi 1 1.
Glaive, sword, xx 6. Higherhand,theuppermost,xvii4.
Glasting, barking, x 53. Hight, called, i 18.
Glatisant, barking, yelping, x 13. Hilled, covered, concealed, x 59,
Gobbets, lumps, vii 23. xvii 22.
Graithed, made ready, v 7. Holden, held, i 8.
Gree, degree, superiority, v 10, Holp, helped, vi 12.
vi 7. Holts, woods, v 9.
GLOSSARY 207
Hough-bone, back part of knee- Layne, conceal, xviii 13.
joint, xii 3. Lazar-cot, leper-house, viii 35.
Houselled, to be given the Euchar- Learn, teach, vi 10.
ist, xxi 12. Lears, cheeks, ix 20.
Hoved, hovered, waited about, Leaved, leafy, xviii 10.
ii 19, iv 20, xviii 10. Lecher, fornicator, xviii 2.
Hurled, dashed, staggered, viii 26, Leech, physician, i 25.
ix 4, 6, x 41 ; hurling, vii 10, ix 6. Leman, lover, vi 5.
Hurtle, dash, vii 12. Let, caused to, x 61.
Let, hinder, v 7.
Incontinent, forthwith, v 2. Lewdest, most ignorant, i 26.
Ind, dark blue, i 15. Licours, lecherous, xviii 25.
Infellowship, join in fellowship, Lief, dear, xxi 5.
viii 27. Liefer, more gladly, ix 4.
In like, alike, xii 14. Lieve, believe, xx i.
Intermit, interpose, xvi 15. Limb-meal, limb from limb, viii 37.
List, desire, pleasure, ix 24, x 39.
Japer, jester, x 44. Lithe, joint, iii 13.
Japes, jests, iii 1 1. Longing unto, belonging to, i 16.
Jesseraunt, a short cuirass, i 9. Long on (upon), because of, xv 2,
xx i.
Keep (sb.), care, vii 20. Loos, praise, v 10, xvi 1 1.
Keep (v.), care, reck, ix 14. Lotless, without a share, x 4.
Kemps, champions, vii 8. Loveday, day for settling dis-
Kind, nature, xi 8. putes, x 15.
Kindly, natural, xi 8. Loving, praising, xi i, xix 12.
Knights parters, marshals, xix 9. Lunes, leashes, strings, vi 16.
Know, acknowledge, v 12. Lusk, lubber, vii 5.
Knowledging, acknowledgment, Lusts, inclinations, viii 36.
confession, xix i.
Maims, wounds, i 15.
Lain, conceal, xx i. Makeless, matchless, vi 1 1, x 73.
Langering, sauntering, ix 20. Makers, authors, poets, xxi 13.
Lapped, took in her lap, viii i. Mai-ease, discomfort, viii 41.
Large, generous, x 61. Mai-engine, evil design, xviii 5, 18,
Largeness, liberality, iv 12. xx 4.
Laton, latten, brass, ii 1 1. Mai-fortune, ill-luck, mishap, ix 12.
Laund, waste plain, iv 19. Marches, borders, i 18, ix 13.
208 LE MORTE DARTHUR
Mass-penny, offering at mass for Nobley, nobility, splendour, x 6.
the dead, xviii 20. Noised, reported, x 46.
Matchecold, machicolated, with Nold, would not, xiii 10.
holes for defence, vii 10. Noseling, on his nose, xvii 4.
Maugre (sb. ), despite, i 23, xx 6, 1 1. Not for then, nevertheless, x 30.
Measle, disease, xvii 1 1. Notoyrly, notoriously, Pref.
Medled, mingled, x 59. Noyous, hurtful, xvii 8.
Medley, melee, general encoun-
ter, i 15. Obeissance, obedience, i 8.
Meiny, retinue, v 5. Or, before, ix 17.
Mickle, much, x 63. Orgule, haughtiness, xxi 1 1.
Minever, ermine, xii i. Orgulist, haughtiest, xxi i.
Mischieved, hurt, ix 1 1. Orgulite, pride, arrogance, x i.
Mischievous, painful, xx 6. Orgulous, proud, ii 4.
Miscomfort, discomfort, x 29. Other, or, i 23.
Miscreature, unbeliever, xvii 2. Ouches, jewels, xx 14.
Missay, revile, ix, 3 ; missaid, ix 2. Ought, owned, vi 5, ix 2.
Mo, more, viii 34, x 58. Outcept, except, x 72.
More and less, rich and poor, vii 27. Outher, or, ix 17, x 70.
Motes, notes on a horn, vii 8. Out-taken, except, x 73.
Mountenance, amount of, extent, Over-evening, last night, ix3i.
vii 4. Overget, overtake, xii 3.
Much, great, xx 4. Overhylled, covered, x 9.
Over-led, domineered over, xx n.
Naked, unarmed, xii 12. Overlong, the length of, x 60.
Namely, especially, xiii 20. Overslip (v.), pass, viii 14.
Ne, nor, v 8. Overthwart (adj. ), cross, ix 15.
Near-hand, nearly, v 7, viii 14; Overthwart (sb.), mischance,
near, xix i. vii 17.
Needly, needs, on your own com- Overthwart and endlong, by the
pulsion, x 67. breadth and length, xiii 17.
Nesh, soft, tender, xiii 20.
Nigh-hand, nearly, ix 35. Painture, painting, vi 6.
Nill, will not, x 55. Paitrelles, breastplate of a horse,
Nilt, will not, xiii 20. vii 16.
Nis, ne is, is not, vi 16. Paltocks, short coats, v 10.
Nist, ne wist, knew not, xvi 14. Parage, descent, vii 5.
Noblesse, nobleness, xi 9. Pareil, like, v 2.
Passing, surpassingly, xviii i.
Paynim, pagan, ix 38.
Pensel, pennon, x 47.
Perclos, partition, xiv 3.
Perdy, par Dieu, vii 19.
Perigot, falcon, vi 16.
Perish, destroy, xvii 2.
Peron, tombstone, x 2.
Pight, pitched, i i, v 5, ix 20.
Pike, steal away, xx 17.
Piked, stole, ix 44.
Pillers, plunderers, xxi 4.
Pilling, plundering, xiii 15.
Pleasaunce, pleasure, viii 36.
Plenour, complete, vii i.
Plump (sb.), cluster, i 16.
Pointling, aiming, xi 4.
Pont, bridge, xi i.
Port, gate, vii 19.
Posseded, possessed, viii 12.
Potestate, governor, v 8.
Precessours, predecessors, v i.
Press, throng, i 17.
Pretendeth, belongs to, i 18.
Pricker, hard rider, v 10.
Pricking, spurring, xiv 5.
Prime, 6.0 a.m., vi 4, xiii 19.
Prise, capture, iv 6.
Puissance, power, i 26.
Purfle, trimming, i 26.
Purfled, embroidered, i 26.
Purvey, provide, iv i, xviii 3.
Quarrels, arrowheads, xi 5.
Questing, barking, i 19.
Quick, alive, i 21.
Quit, repaid, iv 28 ; acquitted, be
haved, vii.
iv ee
GLOSSARY 209
Raced (rased), tore, i 23, x 41,
xviii 23.
Rack (of bulls), herd, xvi i, 3.
Raines, a town in Brittany famous
for its cloth, xxi n.
Ramping, raging, ix i.
Range, rank, station, x 41.
Ransacked, searched, xiii 13.
Rashed, fell headlong, ix 6.
Rashing, rushing, vi 8.
Rasing, rushing, vi 8, vii 4.
Rasure, xviii 25.
Raundon, impetuosity, i 10, iii 9.
Rear, raise, iv 2.
Rechate, note of recall, X52.
Recomforted, comforted, cheered,
vii 33.
Recounter, rencontre, encounter,
iv 24, x 3.
Recover, rescue, xx 14.
Rede, advise, i 23; (sb.) counsel,
xxi 4.
Redounded, glanced back, i 16.
Religion, religious order, xv i.
Reneye, deny, viii 37.
Report, refer, xviii 4.
Resemblaunt, semblance, xiv 6.
Retrayed, drew back, vii 12.
Rightwise, rightly, i 5.
Rivage, shore, vii 21.
Romed, roared, v 4.
Roted, practised, x 36.
Rove, cleft, ii 17.
Rownsepyk, a branch, vi 16.
Sacring, consecrating, xiv 3.
Sad, serious, ix 7.
Sadly, heartily, earnestly, vii 2.
210
LE MORTE DARTHUR
Salle, room, xvii 16.
Samite, silk stuff with gold or silver
threads, i 25.
Sangreal, Holy Grail, xii 4.
Sarps, girdles, xx 14.
Saw, proverb, x 6i.
Scathes, harms, hurts, x 30.
Scripture, writing, xvii 21.
Search, probe wounds, viii 8.
Selar, canopy, xvii 6.
Semblable, like, v 10.
Semblant, semblance, viii 8.
Sendal, fine cloth, v 8.
Sennight, week, iv 18.
Servage, slavery, xiii 15.
Sewer, officer who set on dishes
and tasted them, vii 36.
Shaft-mon, handbreadth, vii 22.
Shaw, thicket, ix 39.
Sheef, thrust, xiii 9.
Sheer -Thursday, Thursday in
Holy Week, xvii 20.
Shend, harm, xx 19.
Shenship, disgrace, vii 15.
Shent, undone, blamed, vii 15.
Shour, attack, xx 14.
Shrew, rascal, x 47.
Shrewd, knavish, ix 18, 24.
Sib, akin to, iii 3.
Sideling, sideways, x 64.
Siege, seat, xiii 4.
Signified, likened, xvii 9.
Siker, sure, vii 18, xi 13.
Sikerness, assurance, iv 27.
Sith, since, i 22.
Sithen, afterwards, since, v 9.
Skift, changed, ix 40.
Slade, valley, vi 5, vii 7.
Slake, glen, vi 5.
Soil (to go to), hunting term for
taking the water, xviii 21.
Sonds, messages, xxi i.
Sort, company, ix 31.
Sperd, bolted, viii 34.
Spere, ask, inquire, xiii 17.
Spered, asked, vii 30, xxi 8.
Sperhawk, sparrowhawk, xii 7.
Sprent, sprinkled, xvii 7.
Stale, station, v 10.
Stark, thoroughly, iv 17.
Stead, place, iv 14.
Stert, started, rose quickly, ii 16,
xiv 10.
Steven, appointment, ii 14 ; Steven
set, appointment made, viii 13.
Steven, voice, xxi 12.
Stigh, path, vii 31.
Stilly, silently, vii 19.
Stint, fixed revenue, i 24.
Stonied, astonished, vi 8 ; became
confused, ix34.
Stour, battle, ix 34, xvi 8.
Strain, race, descent, xiii 8.
Strait, narrow, i 10.
Straked, blew a horn, ix 21, x 52.
Sue, pursue, xvi 20.
Sued, pursued, iii 10.
Surcingles, saddle girths, vii 16.
Swang, swung, viii 14.
Sweven, dream, i 13; (pi.) xxi 12.
Swough, sound of wind, v 4.
Talent, desire, x 20.
Tallages, taxes, v 2.
Tallies, taxes, v 2.
Tamed, crushed, ii is, iii 10, xv 2.
GLOSSARY 211
Tatches, qualities, ii 2, viii 3. Underne, 9-12 a.m., vii 19.
Tene, sorrow, ii 16. Ungoodly, rudely, vii 31.
Term, period of time, xxi i. Unhappy, unlucky, xx 1 1.
Thilk, that same, v 12. Unbilled, uncovered, xii 4.
Tho, then, xvii i. Unnethe, scarcely, i 15, xviii 2.
Thrang, pushed, vii 30, xx 8. Unsicker, unstable, xvii 23.
Thrulled, pushed, 'ix 4. Unwimpled, uncovered, x 39.
Till, to, ix 26. Unwrast, untwisted, unbound,
To-brast, burst, vi 13. viii 34.
To-fore, before, i 4, xvi 14. Upright, flat on the back, xvi 8.
To-morn, to-morrow, iv 24. Up-so-down, upside down, x 60,
Took, gave, vii 30, xvi 6. xiv 9, xxi 3.
To-rove, broke up, viii 38. Ure, usage, i 16.
To-shivered, broken to pieces, i 22. Utas, octave of a festival, v 3.
Traced, advanced and retreated, Utterance, uttermost, ix 3.
xx 21.
Trains, devices, wiles, ix 25. Varlet, servant, x 60.
Trasing, pressing forward, vi 8, Venery, hunting, viii 3.
vii 4. Ventails, breathing holes, x 60.
Travers (met at), came across, Villain, man of low birth, x6i.
xvii 19. Visors, the perforated parts of hel-
Traverse, slantwise, x 65, xvii 19. mets, viii 7.
Traversed, moved sideways, xx2i. Voided, slipped away from, i 16.
Tray, grief, ii 16.
Treatise, treaty, iv 24. Wagging, shaking, xix 9.
Tree, timber, xvii 19. Waited, watched, vi 16.
Trenchant, cutting, sharp, xix 1 1. Waits, watches, vii 30.
Trest, hunting term, xviii 21. Wallop, gallop, i 22.
Truage, tribute, i 23, v i. Wanhope, despair, xvi 10, 13.
Trussed, packed, xx 18. Wap, ripple, xxi 5.
Ware, aware, xiv 7.
Ubblie, wafer, Host, xvii 20. Warison, reward, ix 12.
Umbecast, cast about, xviii 21. Warn, forbid, refuse, vi 10, xvi 1 1.
Umberere, the part of the helmet Weeds, garments, x 71.
which shaded the eyes, viii 41. Weltered, rolled about, v 5, xi 8.
Umbre, shade, viii i. Wend, thought, iv 27.
Unavised, thoughtlessly, ix 17. Wer-wolf, a man turned into a
Uncouth, strange, iii 6. wolf by magic, xix 1 1.
212 LE MORTE DARTHUR
Where, whereas, ix 7. Wonder (adj.), wondrous, xvii i.
Wide-where, over wide space, Wonder (adv.), wondrously, x 68,
ix 2. xx 22.
Wield, possess, have power over, Wonderly, wonderfully, ix 4.
vii 26. Wood, mad, i 15, ix 3.
Wield himself, come to himself, Woodness, madness, i 15.
viii 13. Wood shaw, thicket of the wood,
Wight, brave, strong, vii 9, ix 4, ix 12.
xx 2. Worship, honour, vii 23.
Wightly, swiftly, xxi 3. Worshipped, cause to be hon-
Wildsome, desolate, vii 22. oured, xviii 5.
Wimpled, with the head covered, Worts, roots, xvi 3.
x 68. Wot, know, i 16.
Win, make way, ix 4. Wrack, destruction, xx i.
Wite (v.), blame, i 26, iv 1 1. Wroken, wreaked, iii 7.
Within-forth, on the inside, xvi 13, Wrothe, twisted, xii 2.
xx 22.
Without-forth, on the outside, xvi Yede, ran, ii 18.
13, xx 22. Yelden, yielded, xx 20.
Wittiest, cleverest, xvii 3. Yerde, stick, stem, xvii 5.
Wittily, cleverly, x 36. Yode, went, vi 2.
Witting, knowledge, xi 14. Yolden, yielded, v 12.
Wold or nold, would or would not, Y-wis, certainly, x 58.
xiii 10.
HERE ENDS THE LAST OF FOUR VOLUMES OF
LE MORTE DARTHUR BY SIR THOMAS MALORY
KNIGHT, IMPRINTED AFTER THE TEXT OF
WILLIAM C AXTON AS MODERNIZED, UNDER THE
EDITORSHIP OF ALFRED W. POLLARD, FOR THE
LIBRARY OF ENGLISH CLASSICS, BY KIND PER-
MISSION OF MESSRS. MACMILLAN & CO. LTD.,
IN THE RICCARDI PRESS FOUNT, BY CHARLES
T. JACOBI. THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE BY W.
RUSSELL FLINT: THE LETTERING OF THE
TITLE-PAGE IS ENGRAVED AFTER THE DESIGN
BY M. ENGALL. THE BOOK IS PUBLISHED FOR
THE MEDICI SOCIETY, LTD. BY PHILIP
LEE WARNER AT VII
GRAFTON STREET,
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